Advice on the responsibilities of a Freeholder?

Advice on the responsibilities of a Freeholder?

0:02 AM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago 7

Text Size

Hello, We own the freehold of a converted building made up of three flats (we also own the leasehold of the first floor flat). The ground floor flat is completely self-contained and also includes both the front and back gardens, so the only communal area is a small lobby at the top of an external staircase with the doors to our flat and the top floor flat leading off it.

This lobby area is around four feet square!

We have managing agents but are getting extremely frustrated at the raft of expenses which they want to include in the current maintenance account, particularly as the ground floor flat owner is still in arrears with previous maintenance demands so is almost certain to struggle to meet the new demand.

We are wondering if it would be simpler, and cheaper for all three leaseholders, if we took over responsibility for managing the freehold ourselves?

And I wondered if anyone can point me at a definitive source of information on what would be involved, particularly in terms of fire risk assessment and safety regulations?

Clearly we want to make sure we meet all current legislation.

Thank you,

Annabel


Share This Article


Comments

Graham Bowcock

9:23 AM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

You could probably do it yourself, but you do need to tread carefully. My firm does some block management but, unfortunately, small blocks are just not viable due to the costs.
As the agent represents you, you need to make sure that everything they are suggesting is valid; if it is then you won't save too much money.
Our block owners struggle with the fact that we cannot turn a blind eye to H&S issues, especially those that are fire related. It can be expensive to deal with these matters, but it's in the freeholders' interests to get things sorted.

Judith Wordsworth

9:56 AM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

The main responsibilities for the freeholders are
1. to insure the building and have 3rd party liability cover.
2. Comply with fire safety regulations, see fire safety regulations 2022 and other legislation
3. Comply with the landlords obligations in the leases re external and internal redecoration and
4. maintenance of the building and communal areas.
Much can be done with common agreement ie setting a monthly figure, paid in advance, to cover insurance and ongoing expenses and build up a reserve for unforeseen expenditure.
You’ll always find that the organising is mostly done by 1 or 2 people. ie annual gutter cleaning if needed, getting quotes for works and buildings insurance
The threat of serving a s46 notice to any flat owner not paying their service/maintenance charge is enough to make them cough up.
Major works, anything over £250 per flat, can be sorted by a s20 Opt-Out agreement and majority agreement of freeholders

Crossed_Swords

10:06 AM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

You only mention the internal communal areas but the freeholder is also responsible for the fabric of the building including exterior walls roof etc. and any garden or grounds

Annabel Blake

11:46 AM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Crossed_Swords at 15/06/2023 - 10:06
Yes, I didn't specifically mention the external fabric of the building but we are aware that is our responsibility. I think what bothered us particularly was a relatively large figure in the budget for 'internal redecoration' which is the very small lobby! Plus a figure for a WEEKLY test of the fire alarm system (I have seen a suggestion that we don't actually need an integrated fire alarm system). The gardens are owned entirely by the GFF leaseholder.

Crossed_Swords

13:42 PM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

Ask the agent to justify the costs by providing quotes

If you have a fire alarm it must be tested but not necessarily weekly - could one of the residents do it?

Kizzie

17:08 PM, 15th June 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to Judith Wordsworth
You cannot’threaten’ a leaseholder with a I assume you mean a Section 146 Law of Property Act 1925 Notice. The actual wording of the lease covenant must be proved to have been breached and that means the landlord ie who is defined in the lease to whom service charge must be paid has complied with their obligations provided in the lease with regard to following proper legal demands in accordance with Landlord & Tenant Act and CLRA 2002.
. If the leaseholder disputes the sc then apply to FTT for a determination and only then can you take steps to retrieve the sc contributions.

Judith Wordsworth

9:49 AM, 18th June 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Crossed_Swords at 15/06/2023 - 10:06
I know our building, 8 converted flats, should have the fire alarm system tested weekly

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now