Share of freehold responsibilities

[whatafineday]

I just did a viewing of an upper flat in a period conversion. two flats with equal share. both have been tenanted out for years and as a result the house is far from its best. zero service charge and clearly the two owners being investors have been ignoring all the repair needed.

Am not in love with it but after looking for more than a year am getting tired. it is in the location that i want and within my budget. i do see potential in the flat. but am worried about the other owner being non-cooperative when it comes to repair and maintenance.

(1) is there any way to get the other freeholder split the cost? essential: leak and roof. non-essential: the shared garden is an eyesore. am hoping they would at least be onboard with the essential. but since they own the ground floor unit, dont think they will be interested in fixing the roof.

(2) will i get into trouble for carrying out and paying for the repair myself? if i can negotiate the price down, will consider paying it out of my own pocket if they are non responsive or reluctant to chip in. but would i open the door for future problems or even worse they can sue me?

Or would you say dont bother?

If it’s been allowed to get in to a state… doesn’t suggest the owners are too bothered about maintenance

Don’t bother- it doesn’t sound like it’s being properly managed.

I’m only resident freeholder in my block of 4
others tenanted but in VGC

very good relationship with the owners and there no dispute about maintenance, repairs and splitting costs.

If the other freeholder not selling career about the property it wouldn't be in the state it is.

I would walk away as it sounds like it would be a nightmare to get any maintenance done with the other freeholder, and you will be left footing the bill for any work you do as they won't pay up.

People slate freeholders and managing agents, but good freeholders want to keep the property in a good condition. Having service charges "as and when" is not a good way to run a business.

I own a joint freehold with one other flat owner. I paid to have the roof repaired. I handed her the bill for repairs expected her to pay half as the terms of the freehold. I am still waiting that was 18 months ago.

The only hold would be to catalogue all "joint" expenses when you spend them and then when they eventually sell notify their solicitors of the outstanding monies due as these will pass to the new buyer. Keep reminding them of the amounts due

I paid to have the roof repaired. I handed her the bill for repairs expected her to pay half as the terms of the freehold

You would have been wiser to discuss it in advance, ask if she wanted to get quotes to establish a reasonable price, and get her agreement to the final price. You could still run into problems, but if I were her I would want to have some input to work with a significant cost.

Perhaps not a full zombie, but the OP posted in June!

My ceiling was leaking the woman downstairs knew all about it she just did not want to pay. I did find someone who had a reasonable charge.