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My wife and I own the freehold of a beach chalet, part of a terrace of such chalets of concrete construction on the south coast. It is registered for small-business rates and is subject to conveyancing regulations just as any other building of permanent construction. Most of the chalets are well maintained, but one, immediately adjacent to ours, has been allowed to fall into a state of extreme dilapidation due to the neglect of its former owner.
Following the owner’s death some years ago, the hut came under the control of the Executor of his estate who, despite the dreadful condition of the property, has refused to sell it although very generous offers have been made.
My wife and I have no interest in the property other than that passers-by have been heard to comment ‘I wouldn’t want to be next to that!’ This gives us cause for concern in that the condition of the adjoining chalet is likely to reduce the value of our own, well-maintained property when we come to sell it. Being now in our eighties, this is likely to be sooner rather than later.
Since more than two years has passed since the death of the owner, is there any legal way that the Executor can be made either to carry out repairs and bring the property up to a safe and reasonable standard, or to be forced to sell the property at its current market value so that the new owner can bring it up to standard? If not, can the Executor be held liable for any depreciation in the value of our chalet due to the condition of the adjoining property?
Following the owner’s death some years ago, the hut came under the control of the Executor of his estate who, despite the dreadful condition of the property, has refused to sell it although very generous offers have been made.
My wife and I have no interest in the property other than that passers-by have been heard to comment ‘I wouldn’t want to be next to that!’ This gives us cause for concern in that the condition of the adjoining chalet is likely to reduce the value of our own, well-maintained property when we come to sell it. Being now in our eighties, this is likely to be sooner rather than later.
Since more than two years has passed since the death of the owner, is there any legal way that the Executor can be made either to carry out repairs and bring the property up to a safe and reasonable standard, or to be forced to sell the property at its current market value so that the new owner can bring it up to standard? If not, can the Executor be held liable for any depreciation in the value of our chalet due to the condition of the adjoining property?
