Q:We purchased our leasehold terraced 1st floor flat in Nov 06. Already it is too small and we would like to convert the loft into a bedroom and toilet/shower room. We have 111 years left on our lease but our downstairs neighbour who we would share the freehold with if we purchased it only has 63 years. We can approach the leaseholder and ask permission to build the loft; I am not sure how much they would want to be paid for this. We would need to have scaffolding erected at the front of the property which would be on the neighbours little bit of land before the street of which I think we might have to pay him for that privilege? Alternatively, we could try to purchase the freehold with our neighbour but we haven?t owned the property more than 2 years and I have read this might be a problem. Also we would not want to split the costs down the middle as we have many more years left on our lease than his. Does anyone know the best way forward or been in the same situation and have any ideas on cost? :confused:
I would contact www.lease-advice.org (http://www.lease-advice.org), they will be able to give you a definite answer on this x
I have yet to ask them what price they would like for the freehold!
The reason I ask is that ownership of the loft is not automatically given to the owner of the top flat. It's often retained by the freeholder!!