Stairlift request by individual in a block?

Stairlift request by individual in a block?

10:25 AM, 10th May 2021, About 3 years ago 12

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We own an apartment with a share of the freehold in North London. The block has 9 flats and we are on the top floor. Over the past few weeks another owner has made a request to the block management company that they require a stairlift for easier access.

The person is quite elderly but lives with their son and has carers assisting her to go up and down the stairs. Although sympathetic with her predicament the problem is some property owners and shareholders are concerned putting in a stairlift in narrow stairs where there is no lift may create access issues and also put off other renters and may decrease the value of the entire block.

Better would be for the individual to make plans and should have already made preparations to sell the property or rent it out and move into another flat somewhere on the ground floor.

The block managers are not very active or proactive in this or on other matters. What obligations do the managing agents, the shareholders and directors have to deal with this request?

How should it be managed if the consensus was to deny the request for the reasons suggested?

MJB


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Comments

Darren Peters

10:20 AM, 17th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ron H-W at 17/05/2021 - 09:57
I can't be the first one thinking this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmZdIobA7Rc

Jill Lucas

11:50 AM, 17th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 10/05/2021 - 11:06
We had the same issue with a block of 8 flats! Firstly as already commented on the Fire Risk, secondly it is likely to require planning permission which takes months! and you would likely receive an immediate response that its not practical in terms of the lease and freeholder permission., thirdly the cost would have to be paid by the individual! This is not a practical option in a block of flats!

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