Building an extension on a leasehold flat?
Question:We own a leasehold first floor flat. We want to build a small extension to the back of the flat. We have contacted our landlord (the freeholder) who won't give a definite yes or no and has re-directed us to his solicitor. We are worried that if we get plans drawn up etc (which is expensive) he might just say "no", but will want to see these plans before making a decision. I wondered if anyone knows what rights we have to get this extension done? If the freeholder says "no", do we have any right of appeal? Has anyone else been through the same thing? NB the freeholder also owns the flat below us (there are just two flats- ours and his).
Answers:
You are on dodgy ground here, it might be better to move. Look at it from his side, you might put up an extension that did'nt look right, and might lower the price of the property as a whole, you might block-out light to the flat below in which case "Ancient Lights" might apply in which case you would have to have the extension removed.
If you are on the first floor then you will be coming up from the ground alongside the flat underneath. What is the ground floor of your extension going to be used for? I have never seen this done so I am a bit confused.
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