At Prime Living, we always like to detail case studies that would assist other landlords.

We have a long standing landlord whose property we have looked after for a number of years. The tenants reported a leak and we actioned a maintenance engineer to call. When they investigated the same it was found there was a pipe in the wall that had been leaking unknown to the owner for a considerable time.

As there was a level of investigational work involved, it was agreed that the current tenants would be rehoused for a period of 2 weeks to allow this to be done.

Our engineers advised that the rotted joists needed to be replaced and the whole bathroom would need to be stripped. Our landlord agreed to these works and decided to fit a brand-new bathroom suite in.

Once work commenced to rip out the whole bathroom. It was discovered that the freeholders who own the downstairs flat had taken out all the chimney breast on the ground floor level. Without any support to the remaining upstairs chimney breasts. Suffice to say we advised our engineers to step down and decided to rehouse the tenants. All with the landlords ‘instructions, as we all deemed the property to be unsafe. As there are 10 tonnes of chimney breasts unsupported!

We thought it would be a simple exercise of the freeholder’s taking responsibility and adhering to the lease and undertaking the necessary remedial work. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and our landlord has suffered an extensive period of no rental for a property that is currently deemed unsafe to be lived in.

Prime Living Action

  • Liaising with our landlord, we obtained all the insurance documents for the property. We went through these in detail and advised them they had legal expenses cover which they should claim on.

Results

  • Some 12 months on, yes 12 months on – we are pleased to advise our client has had the full benefit of their policy taking on their case. From instructing solicitors, barristers applying for an high court injunction to stabilise the building and all the way to ordering the freeholders to be responsible for the full repairs and loss of rental income.

So it is always worth ensuring when you rent your property out you have the correct protection in place. A bad decision by a (should-know better) freeholder could have significant implications for your investment.