enormous chimney needs lining and it's a 1000 year leasehold property. What am I in for?

[lingle]

So, my gorgeous fireplace stopped working last week - smoke billows into the sitting room.
The sweep advises that the "midfeathers" (between the pots at the top) have perished and the only solution is to line the chimney.

This is going to be miserable because.

1. It's a leasehold flat so technically the freeholder should do the job and split the cost but there's no way the job would ever get done - we're the only flat using the fireplaces - everyone else would want the job at the bottom of the list. So I'm offering to pay myself.

1. The house is 4 huge storeys high - it's the highest domestic chimney in town. So loads and loads of scaffolding.

1. The pots in the stack include the pots for three other flats.

Not the best financial start to the year. Can anyone help me guess what level of financial misery I'm in for/recommend chimney lining company in Yorkshire?

Bumping for you.

When we got a quote for lining our chimney (victorian 3-storey house) they said they would drop the metal liner down from the top of the chimney. The liner is smaller diameter than the chimney. Our quote was £1500 but that was in London and about 4 years ago. (Didn't need it done in the end, our smoke test was ok)

I would check whether there is any other external/roof work that needs doing at the same time to get value for money out of the scaffolding.

Our neighbours had theirs done in a little 3 storey house and it was £1800 - we are in Essex.

its not cheap - although you may find they don't need to get scaffolding up but can get up on hydraulic lift....
But unfortunately is expensive so think you may just have to brace yourself......

Thanks guys - yes I'm abandoning those dreams of paying off a chunk of the mortgage.

It occurs to me that I may be at carbon monoxide risk since other neighbours may be using gas fires which are now cross-ventilated with my fireplace....will call sweep for advice. Freeholder has not replied. Ah the joys of 1000 year leasehold!