1.Preface
2.The History Of Apartment Buildings
The First Flats; Housing For The Poor; Moving On; Flat Living Becomes Stylish; The Problems Of Tenure; A Continuing Problem; Reforming Laws; The History Of Service Charges;
3.What Type Of Flat Is It Best To Buy?
Exploring The Types Of Flat Available; Conversion; Mansion Block; Purpose-Built Blocks; Newbuilds; Warehouse Conversions; Ex-Local Authority Blocks; Small Blocks; Large Blocks; Flats Over Shops; Shell Apartments; Shared Ownership; Live/Work Units; Retireme
4.The Lease
Questions To Ask; The Lease Itself; The Main Elements Of A Standard Lease; Further Covenants; Look For Subletting Clauses; Listed Buildings; Where You Own A Share Of The Freehold; Leases Of Ex-Local Authority Flats; Ex-Local Authority Block Service Charges
5.Management
Resident Management Companies; The Landlord And Tenant Act 1985; Difficult Owners; The Paperwork Involved; A Typical List Of What You Might Ask An Agent; Standard Contracts; Meetings And Qualifications; Typical Charges And Services; Accounts And Funds; A B
6.Increasing The Value Of Your Flat
The Options Are:; The Procedure; Here Is The Outcome Of A More Typical Situation; ‘marriage’ Value; Lease Extensions; A Typical Example; Another Example Of A Typical Set Of Figures For A Lease Extension; The Landlord’s Response; If Agreement Cannot Be Reac
7.Ex-Local Authority Blocks
Collective Enfranchisement; Leases Shorter Than 80 Years; A Note On Mortgages; Social Tenants; Service Charges; Residents’ Associations; Breach Of Lease; Investment Value; Is There A Best Buy?;
8.Letting A Flat
The Lease; Restrictive Subletting; What Kind Of Subletting Is Allowed?; Buying A Flat To Let; Carrying Out Building Work; Being A Good (Absentee) Landlord; Finding Tenants; Your Tenant’s Responsibilities; Types Of Tenancy; Short Lets; Holiday Lets; Leasing
9.When Things Go Wrong
These Are The Best Solutions; What If Problems Persist?; In Some Cases, Mediation May Be The Answer; Listed Buildings;
10.Buying Abroad
Apartments In America; Renting Out; Property Clubs; The Costs Stack Up; Timeshare Apartments; Inheritance And Sipps;
11.Conclusions
All New Developments Should As A Matter Of Course Becommonhold; What About Non-Payers?; No Requirement For Reasonableness; Leasehold Tenure Would Disappear;