Lease Modification.

[198x]

Hi, I moved into a flat where there was a window in the utility room and the survey we had done (on 14th March) said that this window had wet rot.

I got in touch with the council on the 9th July and told them the window would need replacing, to which they told me on the phone that after we had the window replaced they would come and inspect it.

On Saturday I had a letter from the council regarding the window and they have said that "they have checked our file and we did not seek the Council's permission for the alteration" and pretty much that we would have to pay �250 to alter the lease.

The only thing I've got against this is that although we have not replaced the window with wet rot in it, we did not put it in. It was already there as stated on the survey before we moved in. However when I pointed this out to the council they told me as the current leaseholder I must pay for it under lease law.

Is there anything I can do to this as I've told them I'd like to appeal against it. The only thing I can't do is try and get money from the previous owner as we cannot trace them (currently trying to sue him over nuisance/drug dealing neighbours).

Any help would be appreciated.

[HomeBody]

Sorry that you are having an unhappy experience with your home purchase.

Is the council your freeholder?

If you believe that the previous lessees breached the lease and you are now paying for their actions, you can recover any costs from them. You will need to consult a solicitor.

At the end of the day, caveat emptor.