Ambiguity in lease – who does it fall to?

Ambiguity in lease – who does it fall to?

0:06 AM, 19th May 2023, About 12 months ago 14

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Hi, Our block of flats has recently had a section 20 notice issued, with a large cost attributed to the four leaseholders in the building. All of us have contested this as we believe that not only are the works unnecessary, the costs are unfair and unreasonable. We feel that the lease is ambiguous on who should be responsible for the repairs.

There has been a lot of back and forth between us and the freeholder but we are both determined in our cases and we are looking to take the freeholder to the FTT.

My question is, are there any law cases that look into ambiguity in leases that I can use for my case?

I have found one based in America but not any for the UK.

I have one case that the freeholders have tried to use (related to the works) but after reading this closely I found I could use this against them instead.

It would just be helpful to learn a bit more about ambiguous leases.

Thank you,

Robyn


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Comments

Kizzie

10:20 AM, 23rd June 2023, About 11 months ago

Who is your landlord that is who does your lease state is to whom you must pay service charge contributions and /or does it act on behalf of the landlord.
Section 20 falls under sc payable to the landlord and the landlord must prove it is not acting unreasonably by relying on an earlier contract not agreed with leaseholders
and the FTT will need to view this contract. It will help your cause if the landlord withholds it from you and FTT

Robyn

10:30 AM, 23rd June 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Puzzler at 23/06/2023 - 08:48
Hi,

This is where it gets even more complicated. In 2021 I requested permission and was given consent by the freeholder to replace my windows as they were single glazed and rotting, so I replaced like for like but with double glazing. Another leaseholder in the block has also had permission to replace their windows, as have leaseholders in other blocks in the same estate. The tenant flats in the block have previously had all their windows replaced with double glazing but the leaseholders were excluded from these works, hence still having the horrible old windows.
The freeholders are now saying to me that whoever agreed 'must've interpreted the lease incorrectly' but given how there are multiple people in the same situation over many years I don't think they can use this as their defence...

Robyn

10:31 AM, 23rd June 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Kizzie at 23/06/2023 - 10:20
It is Metropolitan Thames Valley. They are working to the original lease written by the Council in 1989 for my property. Ok I will look into it, thank you

Kizzie

11:27 AM, 23rd June 2023, About 11 months ago

It seems they are backing off. The LL has a legal obligation under the lease to maintain and repair the property. The lease runs with the land and does not vary. Costs of repairs to windows from what you said lease said falls on leaseholders service charge and if LL fails to consult then you are each only liable for £250 extra cost to sc per flat per year and freeholder has to make up deficit

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