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Can we challenge retirement flat letting fees?
12:01 AM, 21st September 2026, 17 hours ago
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Hi, My sister has inherited a retirement flat that is impossible to sell and the running costs are expensive. We have decided to rent the flat to help with the costs.
However, the leaseholder, who already charges each of the 82 flats £600 a year ground rent, wants £125 to grant permission to sublet plus a £115 annual and an £80 fee for permission to keep a pet and the whole of the first month’s rent of £1,150.
In all, they want an initial payment of £1,505.
My question is: is this legal to charge so much money to rent a leasehold apartment?
I can sort of understand the admin fees but the first months rent seems way over the top and what might/could happen if I refuse to hand over the rent?
Thank you,
Eric
Tags:
Consent to Let, inherited property, landlord costs, leasehold charges, retirement flat, Subletting fees
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Member Since January 2021 - Comments: 30
12:09 PM, 21st September 2026, About 4 hours ago
They are simply legalised robbers
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 87
1:29 PM, 21st September 2026, About 3 hours ago
Suggest you refer to the lease itself. I believe Leaseholder can only request first months rent in these circumstances if it is clearly stated in lease. Same applies to other charges you mention, although think those are pretty standard.