Anyone here live in a flat ?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I am downsizing

I really don't have any interest in gardens or feeding the birds

I will have to turn down the volume on the sabbath for old Bert downstairs in number 4 but apart from that I can't see any big drawbacks ?

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

I am downsizing

I really don't have any interest in gardens or feeding the birds

I will have to turn down the volume on the sabbath for old Bert downstairs in number 4 but apart from that I can't see any big drawbacks ?

No, but when I moved recently I asked the same question and the drawbacks I heard were: difficulty in drying your laundry and having to carry your shopping up a few flights of stairs. Isn't there also that maintenance fee you have to pay?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

No, but when I moved recently I asked the same question and the drawbacks I heard were: difficulty in drying your laundry and having to carry your shopping up a few flights of stairs. Isn't there also that maintenance fee you have to pay?

There is a communal garden with washing lines

Yes , mine includes a house insurance contribution

[Divine Wright]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

I live abroad. Everyone lives in flats over here. So do I. Have done for the last 13 years.

In terms of living, I feel as comfortable in an apartment as in a house.

The only thing I hate about it is the communal stuff. Basically, in Spain, you have to vote on every communal decision and your M2 corresponds to the percentage your vote is worth.

At the moment , we are voting on putting a lift in and the price of things has just spiralled. Thing is, if you have a certain number of people who are happy to get into massive debts to get the job done, you have no option but to follow.

I don't know how communal issues are sorted out in apartment blocks in Wales, but I'd say the likelihood of falling out with your neighbours is generally a bit higher than if you live in a detached house.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

I live abroad. Everyone lives in flats over here. So do I. Have done for the last 13 years.

In terms of living, I feel as comfortable in an apartment as in a house.

The only thing I hate about it is the communal stuff. Basically, in Spain, you have to vote on every communal decision and your M2 corresponds to the percentage your vote is worth.

At the moment , we are voting on putting a lift in and the price of things has just spiralled. Thing is, if you have a certain number of people who are happy to get into massive debts to get the job done, you have no option but to follow.

I don't know how communal issues are sorted out in apartment blocks in Wales, but I'd say the likelihood of falling out with your neighbours is generally a bit higher than if you live in a detached house.

I think we could reduce some of our housing problems if we built more flats

I don't know wether any decisions on major cost issues can be made within a typical management group over here

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

Being merely a freeholder and not being in control of maintenance expenses isn't appealing.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

Being merely a freeholder and not being in control of maintenance expenses isn't appealing.

What about being a leaseholder and in the same position ?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

What about being a leaseholder and in the same position ?

Sorry, I meant leaseholder.

Oh, and the duration of the lease will probably reduce as the years tick by.

[Robin Friday's Ghost]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

I think we could reduce some of our housing problems if we built more flats

I don't know wether any decisions on major cost issues can be made within a typical management group over here

Most modern blocks have a management company. Decisions are made are made and residents have to comply. Much, much easier in the case of repairs, anti-social behaviour, etc. My son lives in a converted house and basically paid for some repairs to the roof himself as it was so hard to get the others to agree.

Bear in mind that if it is a newer block (this may apply also to converted houses, I don't know) there will be a service charge. This can be pretty hefty so check it out.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

Most modern blocks have a management company. Decisions are made are made and residents have to comply. Much, much easier in the case of repairs, anti-social behaviour, etc. My son lives in a converted house and basically paid for some repairs to the roof himself as it was so hard to get the others to agree.

Bear in mind that if it is a newer block (this may apply also to converted houses, I don't know) there will be a service charge. This can be pretty hefty so check it out.

I don't know if people remember, but when I moved five years ago, I was all set to buy the leasehold of a flat in deepest Beddau. I'd agreed a price and was all set to move in, but delays in selling my house in Cardiff meant that I was able to do the research into the leasehold and what it entailed that I should have done earlier and, in the event, I backed out because the more I learned, the worse it sounded. This meant I was back to square one in effect because the proposed buyer of my house did the same once he heard of my decision.

Still, it was all very much for the best, as I ended with a place I own which cost me the same as the leasehold (it wasn't a full leasehold only about a third of one) on that flat would have done and I don't have to pay the annual service and maintenance charges on top every year which ran into four figures on the flat I almost got.

I'm not saying don't ever get a leasehold, but it might be worth getting a solicitor to look through the one you're after - looking back at it now, I had a very lucky escape.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

Sorry, I meant leaseholder.

Oh, and the duration of the lease will probably reduce as the years tick by.

It's a 999 year lease which began in 1965

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

Most modern blocks have a management company. Decisions are made are made and residents have to comply. Much, much easier in the case of repairs, anti-social behaviour, etc. My son lives in a converted house and basically paid for some repairs to the roof himself as it was so hard to get the others to agree.

Bear in mind that if it is a newer block (this may apply also to converted houses, I don't know) there will be a service charge. This can be pretty hefty so check it out.

The place was built in 1965 and has a 999 year lease from that date

Yearly service charge is 1200 which includes buildings insurance

[Robin Friday's Ghost]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

The place was built in 1965 and has a 999 year lease from that date

Yearly service charge is 1200 which includes buildings insurance

That is reasonable. Forgot to mention the lease. We extended ours last year. It might be worth contacting the management company to check if there are any major repairs or other expenses planned in the near future.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

That is reasonable. Forgot to mention the lease. We extended ours last year. It might be worth contacting the management company to check if there are any major repairs or other expenses planned in the near future.

It's a dirty business

[OurManFlint II]

Re: Anyone here live in a flat ?

I live abroad. Everyone lives in flats over here. So do I. Have done for the last 13 years.

In terms of living, I feel as comfortable in an apartment as in a house.

The only thing I hate about it is the communal stuff. Basically, in Spain, you have to vote on every communal decision and your M2 corresponds to the percentage your vote is worth.

At the moment , we are voting on putting a lift in and the price of things has just spiralled. Thing is, if you have a certain number of people who are happy to get into massive debts to get the job done, you have no option but to follow.

I don't know how communal issues are sorted out in apartment blocks in Wales, but I'd say the likelihood of falling out with your neighbours is generally a bit higher than if you live in a detached house.

Same in Barcelona, but we are 1 apartment 1 vote.

I'm 1st floor so lift maintenance isn't my top priority , but hundreds of other issues and agree some people here seem to have bottomless pockets, constantly wanting to reform and changes shit. We had a fire/arson attack new years day 2021 luckily nobody hurt but it actually brought the small community closer together as we all stood on the street in our PJ's.