Share of freehold - dogs!

[LaLaFlottes]

We are looking at the possibility of purchasing a conversion, so a flat that’s part of a large period house.

We’ve noticed most are “shared of freehold” and have been reading about issues if you have a dog, which we do.

Mostly it seems you have to get permission from the other freeholders if it says in the lease that dogs are not allowed.

Has anyone come across this and do most leases say that pets are not permitted? Or not necessarily?

Thanks

I think most leases say no pets but many people do have them. We had a share of freehold flat and the owners before us had a dog. Have also owned an ex-LA leasehold flat which said no pets but plenty of council and non-council tenants had them.

With our share of freehold there was also a clause saying no hard floors but the flat already had exposed boards everywhere so as part of the purchase process we asked for all the other freeholders to confirm on email that they were fine that the flat wasn't carpeted. The current owners organised it.

We have a share of Freehold flat that says no pets allowed. One flat owner has an elderly cast inherited when a family member died. Some people were cross but it doesn't bother us.

I am pleased there are no dogs barking in the flats though

Elderly cat.

Yes, flats and pets are not really compatible. I had a share of freehold flat before and the people who bought the downstairs flat after me insisted my cat affected their allergies. (She was an older indoor cat who never left the flat or went into the communal areas.)

Dogs are even more complicated because of the barking.

I now live in a house and I'm so relieved to not have to deal with all the clauses and rules that come with a leasehold property.

Hi all - thank you for your messages. I totally understand that some people will buy a property and it’s attractive to them that pets are not allowed and I respect that 100%.

These conversions we are looking at are typically old Victorian houses which have been converted so split into 3 or 4 flats. The ones we had our eye on particularly have their own front door and small garden so not like a block of flats, and our little dog is small and elderly so you hardly know she’s there - but that’s not to say we wouldn’t want more dogs in the future so maybe this kind of set up isn’t possible for us

We’ve lived in a conversion in Scotland before and loved it - but you don’t have freehold and leasehold issues there!

I was hoping people might say that often someone has requested pets be allowed previously and leases might have been updated! I also wouldn’t want to risk it even with permission, in case that permission was revoked? I’d feel to anxious about it.

This also rules out most of what we could afford in London which was plan B.

Back to the drawing board for us sadly I think.

I think if you look for a ground floor maisonette where you are sharing the freehold with only one other household there may be more wriggle room. Loads in south London if that helps ?

Oh really @hooplahoop - that’s good to know thank you. Maybe we need to just take it all on a case by case basis then?

South London is where we would want to be. Looking there and also Guildford.

We live in a leasehold block where you need permission from the other occupants to get pets - we have cats and our upstairs neighbour has a dog, everyone agreed and there are no issues! So it can work out ok.

This is in SE London

Thank you @Haus1234
Once the neighbours have agreed is that kind of “binding” i.e can’t just change their mind on a whim?

Do you know if permission could be sought prior to purchasing?

Thanks so much!

I live in a very similar building with those exact rules, my neighbours have a dog. In practice it's unlikely to be enforced but it may be worth trying to speak to the other residents/freeholders in advance and getting something in writing? I'd talk to the solicitors but also be open to operating under informal agreement, if you're willing to take a little bit of a risk (e.g. for a good price).

Our old garden flat was a share of freehold, old Victorian house converted into just two flats. The ‘no pets’ clause was written into the new freehold lease that the sellers (the upstairs/other flat) wrote in very late in the conveyancing process. It was a complete dealbreaker for us so we had them write a clause in saying that our dog, specifically, was allowed. We even included a picture of her! But that was easier with just two freeholders. Good luck, it’s worth asking the question!

@nordica

Yes, flats and pets are not really compatible. I had a share of freehold flat before and the people who bought the downstairs flat after me insisted my cat affected their allergies. (She was an older indoor cat who never left the flat or went into the communal areas.)

Dogs are even more complicated because of the barking.

I now live in a house and I'm so relieved to not have to deal with all the clauses and rules that come with a leasehold property.

really?

I cannot see why you shouldn't have a cat if you have your own entrance/exit for the cat door?

dogs are harder.