Buying a leasehold flat needing work

[Muddle2000]

Interested in a flat on the third floor in a large block run by a company The windows need doing and have been told vendor is arranging this However other flats seem to have had their windows done Surely scaffolding would be needed

We are ground floor in a private block - flat on second floor recently had windows done and needed scaffolding. Two men spent less than half a day putting it up and took it down a few days later. Imagine window companies quote extra and arrange as not uncommon.

Is the flat actually on the market? I ask as usually vendors do works before marketing or buyers price in works needed and do after buying - whether that is windows, boilers, flooring, whatever.

Also, many leases have clauses that the freeholder has to agree to things like windows replacing and/or they must be same or a specific style etc. So this could be an added complication or cause delays if they do the windows while you are buying.

Normally windows are the responsibility of the freeholder and would be covered in the service charge. Check the head lease - if it's a large block the selling agents should know the answer or should be able to find out.

Thanks The other flats appear to have had their windows done and yes it is a,big block Management agent so u would need permission Not sure if scaffold but all in all surely it would be cheaper to have them done,together

I disagree with @mondaytosunday

In all the (private) flats we have owned the windows are the responsibility of the leaseholder. The fact some have replaced in this block and some have not indicates that. Look at most private blocks and you will notice the same.

An exception is often council/ex-council blocks, where the leaseholders usually have to have their windows replaced when the council decides to do the whole block but they then get charged (often a fortune) whereas the council tenants don't pay.

All replies have good insight Firstly in such blocks you need the permission of the Freeholder whatever you decide to do and that can delay any sale if not requested Yeah money for all rope (hence Leasehold bad idea)
The lease will determine how often certain jobs must be done
But it is still quite tricky if the service charge does not cover repairs or some disagree but if it is on lease tough Also depends on location of windows as higher up would need a scaffold So to my question this is high up

Windows are leaseholder responsibility. Bricks and mortar are freeholder, everything else (windows doors and roof) are leaseholders. Make sure there is a good sized sink fund for repairs, or that you can afford shares for repairs. Many leasehold properties have peppercorn rents now.

I’m a landlord.
I’ve had leasehold in her past.
Couldn’t wait to get rid. Service charges just keep going up and up.
I’ll never buy leasehold again.
Buyer beware.

Electric heaters or storage heaters

Walk away from it.

Wouldn't necessarily need scaffolding, we've having windows changed in our dormer (second story). No scaffolding needed.

I don't know if this is common across the country, but in my borough you need planning permission for new windows in flats (and not just in conservation areas). I don't think the council is particularly choosy about the windows but it is an extra hurdle/expense to go through and will add time to the process.

Hi Plexi No p permission here but they must be Fensa,guaranteed