does anyone live in mansion flats in London

[MrsPuddle]

They look so much nicer than new builds but I wondered if the age of them meant there were catches. Does anyone here live in one?

I used to, and it was fabulous. No downsides!

I dream of doing so again.

I did for 17 years - would move back to one given half the chance.

Obviously everything depends on the terms of the lease and the general condition of the block.

Red brick Victorian blocks have big rooms, high ceilings, nice staircases and big windows, balconies, and all round elegance.

My friend did for a while and it was great,
rooms were massive.

I used to. It was great, except the sound travelled downwards easily. A nightmare if upstairs neighbours installed wooden floors (against the lease)

Yes, we used to, and our downstairs neighbour was a drug dealer who used to report us to the police all the time. We got rid eventually but it was a nightmare.

A friend of mine lived in one for a while. It was gorgeous but bloody freezing in the winter as it had original, and very draughty, sash windows.

Some are very well maintained internally despite their age, others not so. I briefly lived in one where it looked very grand on the outside but the internal communal areas were a bit worn. But clean. They sometimes have communal heating and hot water which is good costwise (although annoying when it gets cold outside of the 'winter' period. Also plumbing and water pressure can be an issue due to old pipe work etc. lease extensions are very expensive. There may not be Lift Access to underground garage (if it has it). Some blocks have strict rules about what window dressings are allowed (the one I lived in stipulated in the deeds that nothing other than white net curtains were allowed, no blinds).

When I win the lottery I'll have a flat in Florin court. The one that is used for Whitehaven mansions in Poirot.

Lived in St John’s Wood court for a while they are fab

This is going to be so outing to anyone who knows me.

Myself and my sister inherited one of The Hyde Park Mansions from our late Aunt. We were in our 20s and decided to make our fortune in London and go and live in it. Our Dad (Aunts brother) wanted us to sell it from the word go but we knew better.

It was amazing, we had a balcony which had incredible views. There was a caretaker who was amazing if we had a light bulb which needed changing and it was just such an adventure. The place was huge, we played hide and seek on many occasions.

Now why did we sell it? Well dear Auntie never increased the lease on it. So we were running the risk of it going under the mortgageable amount. I’ve actually just looked on ones for sale and one of our old neighbours flats is on there with a lease of 56 years remaining. The service charge and council tax was also starting to cripple us. We would’ve loved to have kept it, but my sister had met her husband and I’d met my first husband so it made sense to sell it. I wish we hadn’t looking at what they are worth now even with a 56 year lease!!!

If I won the lottery I’d love to have one again as my weekend place! I’ve got such fond memories of visiting my Aunt there and then also living there. We were there for about six years I think.

Check on size of kitchen and bathroom. some are small.

My friend lived in one in Little Venice and it was gorgeous. She was just renting a room so moved on eventually. I used to live in a flat In zone 1 and then moved to a massive flat above a shop. It was such a fun time renting in London - I don’t think young people with normal jobs can do that so easily now.

My Dad owned one in central London and it was lovely. The major downside is the service charge which was eye wateringly expensive but included everything including a porter who was happy to sort out lots of little problems with the flats.

Yes, but ours is in a small block. I love it - large rooms, high ceilings, a lovely communal garden. We get on well with our neighbours and often have drinks in the garden in the summer. We manage the block ourselves so the service charge is reasonable. A downside is that it’s grade 2 listed and a pain to get approval to do anything. A plus is that it’s zone one, easy walking distance to theatres, Piccadilly etc.

sounds fab @Aydel