Freehold just purchased by Southern Land Securities

[jenni1uk]

Hi all

There are two flats in our converted 1912 building.  Just heard that freehold sold to the above company and worried because of what I’ve read on this forum and other sites about them, their property management company Together,  and their service/insurance charges. 

We are wondering if we should look at Right to Manage but worried that they may contest this and drive up cost of doing so.  Has anyone else done this with them specifically and what has your experience been? 

If we don’t go down this route then are there other ideas as to how to go about keeping service charge manageable from the get go?  
 

Our communal hallway is tiny ( and was painted earlier this year)  the garden is not communal ( it belongs to me), and front was painted at least 3 years ago. However I suspect that won’t put them off trying to get additional work done. 

Advice/experience re this group would be much appreciated. Thank you!! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2023 by jenni1uk
Missed out a couple of words

[stu007]

Hi

I assume your flats are Leasehold and if so even if the Landlord has sold the freehold to this well as you have already read on CAG this company it does not stop nor prevent you going down the Right to Manage route.

Make sure before your decide the above to have discussions with others in the building and exactly what is required of you if you do go this route.

Have a look at these following links to put your mind at ease:

Right to Manage - The Leasehold Advisory Service

WWW.LEASE-ADVICE.ORG

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Outline of the right for leaseholders of a building containing flats to take over the management of the building (right to manage)

 

Leasehold property: Right to Manage and management disputes - GOV.UK

WWW.GOV.UK

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Leasehold property - leasehold disputes, buying the freehold, service charges, lease extensions and Right to Manage

 

Right to Manage: a guide for landlords: The Right to Manage - GOV.UK

WWW.GOV.UK

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As a landlord, find out if the leaseholders in your block have the right to take over management of your building, and the process they must go through...

 

Right to manage for leaseholders of flats - Shelter England

ENGLAND.SHELTER.ORG.UK

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Rights of leaseholders in some blocks of flats to form a company to manage the block, to which a landlord or other leaseholders may object.

 

[jenni1uk]

Thanks Stu for the links. I’ll be taking a look at them.
 

There are only two flats- mine and the neighbour upstairs. 

I think we’d both be interested in doing RTM however we’ve heard stories of how costs could run in the thousands if the freeholder contests our right to manage application.  We don’t have thousands between us and so worried about this particular aspect. 

Any thoughts on this welcome. 
 

 

[stu007]

Hi

Have a very good read of the first link as all the info you need is in that specific link from leasehold advisory service.

The next 2 links (Government links) one is for leaseholders and the other is for landlords (put the landlord one their so you know what the landlords have to abide by