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Hi All.
I'm new here and luckily don't need legal advice very often however i do now.
A own a first floor flat above a shop. I have access onto the roof via the bathroom through a door. Once on the roof 2 other properties have access to the same space (approx 6m x 10m). Altogether there are 5 properties including me who pay ground rent to the shop below.
The roof needs repairing and i have met the owners from the shop below to discuss the repairs and to access the damage.
Now the problem of gaining access to repair the roof has arisen. The situation for me is my tenants are only available weekends as they work mon-fri. I have agreed to allow access however it has to be at weekends. The owners from the shop below are fairly pushy and would like 4 days in the week to repair the roof. My problem is the tenants are not available at this time. I also have reservations that roofing repairs will cause mess to my stairs and hallway leading up to the roof and I seek assurances that the property will be left as it has been found. Nether do I want hazardous chemicals used in the repair to affect my tenants.
What has also annoyed me is none of the other adjoining properties have made any effort in replying to the shop owners demands of access and because I have it feels that all the responsibility lies with me. In fact all previous work has been carried out at the far end of the roof where no building need entering to carry out roof repairs. When I asked why this route is not used I get a reply of "no we don't get on with him" and the idea is dismissed.
A letter from a solicitor has arrived today regarding ground rent payment and a small paragraph at the end asking for access through my property to carry out repairs. It states they have a right of access on reasonable prior notice.
Obviously it benefits all the freehold landlords/property owners to be as helpful as possible to maintain the building and all I ask is the most common sense way of doing things is considered. If buildings are needed to be entered to repair the damage then access should be granted amongst all of us equally.
Any ideas where I stand?
I hope I have explained myself clearly and your advice is gratefully received.
Thanks
I'm new here and luckily don't need legal advice very often however i do now.
A own a first floor flat above a shop. I have access onto the roof via the bathroom through a door. Once on the roof 2 other properties have access to the same space (approx 6m x 10m). Altogether there are 5 properties including me who pay ground rent to the shop below.
The roof needs repairing and i have met the owners from the shop below to discuss the repairs and to access the damage.
Now the problem of gaining access to repair the roof has arisen. The situation for me is my tenants are only available weekends as they work mon-fri. I have agreed to allow access however it has to be at weekends. The owners from the shop below are fairly pushy and would like 4 days in the week to repair the roof. My problem is the tenants are not available at this time. I also have reservations that roofing repairs will cause mess to my stairs and hallway leading up to the roof and I seek assurances that the property will be left as it has been found. Nether do I want hazardous chemicals used in the repair to affect my tenants.
What has also annoyed me is none of the other adjoining properties have made any effort in replying to the shop owners demands of access and because I have it feels that all the responsibility lies with me. In fact all previous work has been carried out at the far end of the roof where no building need entering to carry out roof repairs. When I asked why this route is not used I get a reply of "no we don't get on with him" and the idea is dismissed.
A letter from a solicitor has arrived today regarding ground rent payment and a small paragraph at the end asking for access through my property to carry out repairs. It states they have a right of access on reasonable prior notice.
Obviously it benefits all the freehold landlords/property owners to be as helpful as possible to maintain the building and all I ask is the most common sense way of doing things is considered. If buildings are needed to be entered to repair the damage then access should be granted amongst all of us equally.
Any ideas where I stand?
I hope I have explained myself clearly and your advice is gratefully received.
Thanks
