Access for roof space conversion?

Esme: I have dealt with similar situations.

You will need to agree with the freeholder/other leaseholders for rights over other demise(s) and/or the common parts. Any one of these can hold you to ransom and seek a considerable sum of money which could render your proposed scheme unviable – or they could simply refuse and you have no development. You do not say whether you have planning consent, which is another consideration.

Good points made above. As others have said, this is not a question for a forum as there are a number of issues to be resolved, which is difficult to do without knowing more facts and the layout of the property. I suggest you obtain a local surveyor’s advice and /or return to the solicitor who acted for you on the purchase.

Hi
I still cannot understand what is the legal nature of the purchase.
A short lease which does not require registration. This would not make economic sense.
A Long Lease requiring registration at the Land Registry.
How did you manage this?
Thanks.

The normal way of doing such a development if erecting scaffolding either to the front or rear garden. I would suggest where ever it is easiest to get the materials delivered to – usually the front. Then you do the conversion that way without involving any existing tenants. That’s a hell of a lot easier than shifting everything up through other peoples flats !

Reply to the comment left by Paul Thomas at 06/11/2021 – 08:26
The issue here is that the ground around the property will more than likely be vested in the freeholder, so their consent would be required. To complicate it, the leaseholders would probably have rights over the grounds under their leases so the freeholder cannot unilaterally grant consent to somebody else which interferes with the rights of the leaseholders.

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 06/11/2021 – 11:46
He could wait until it’s summer and the freeholder might not have his vest on ? Aw come on, a little humour in life is required. Yeah, listen to the others advise not mine. I’d only buy something if I knew how I was going to solve my problems before buying. Not helpful, but honest 🙁

Reply to the comment left by Paul Thomas at 06/11/2021 – 13:42
Ha ha. Quite agree. Sounds like the OP has got into something without thinking it through. I have to say that I love it, though – as an Expert Witness on property matters, others’ mistakes are my bread and butter work. Most would be surprised at how many solicitors make mistakes and failing to secure access is a very common one.

So buy the flat and then you can do what you (legally) want with it. Simples!