garage renting probem

[saintpeter48]

i have rented a garage for 16 years now, �44 per month by DD. the owner died about 10 years ago but before that he gave me bank details and home address of his son who was going to take the business over, the garage has a leaking roof which I want repaired, I tried phoning number I was given but not available, I wrote recorded delivery letter but no reply, I wrote to his bank asking them to pass the letter on but i've heard nothing, I've never ever spoken to or had any contact with the son, indeed I only spoke to his father twice many years ago. Another 3 garages in the block, owned by the same person have had similar problems with contact. I stopped the payments 4 months ago and have still heard nothing. My question is, how do I stand with regard to the garage, can I put in a claim to own it outright, repair it at my cost, but where would i send the bill. how do i stand legally on this. thanks for any help.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

i would check with a solicitor,one things for sure you can never own it,repair the roof and deduct it from what you owe for rent,keep the rent money in a seperate account and see what happens in the future.

[Stu Dent]

I don't know about in England, but in Scotland, it is certainly within the realms of possibility that abandoned property can then be acquired by someone else - a new owner. This would happen if, after 10 years, the possessor has possessed the property openly, peaceably, and without judicial interruption (Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1977).

If the garage occupiers contact the Land Registry, they may have the details of who owns the properties. Likewise, if this is a company who rents out these garages then Companies House will have the details. If, after trying those contacts, and you still can't contact the owner, stop paying. See if they contact you.

[saintpeter48]

Thankyou Stu, I have stopped payments but I have heard from no one. I want some repairs done but don't want to go ahead at my expense. Im at a loss as to what to do but will follow up your advice about contacting land registry.

[johnny37]

Im not a solicitor but I doubt whether you can claim ownership. The fact that you have been paying rent is an acknowledgement that someone elses owns it. If you stop paying it is possble that the owner will try to evict you but if not you may well get a claim for back payment in the fuiture up to the 6 year limit for civil debt. It is not a dwelling so I would think that you cannot force the owner to repair it. His bank should at least confirm that the payments have been received and credited to the corrrect account.