Hi,
Received a council repair order a while back after a complaint from tenant to the council. The repair works are still ongoing however, in the meantime we have put the property up for sale. A potential buyer is willing to buy the property as seen and the tenant is due to move out in 3 weeks. Is it alright to advise the council of this new development with the potential buyer carrying on with the works? The council did state in their letter notifying of the works that a fine could be issued if the repair works are not carried out within the stipulated time.
The stipulated time agreed expires soon. Should it be extended in the light of this development?
Regards
1 Comment
Our advice would be to get the works done.
However, you can ask the council to extend the time on the basis of the potential sale. The problem is, the sale may not happen and could be months away.
You could seek a prohibition order be issued on the property meaning whilst the works are not done, the house is prohibited from occupation. This takes effect in 28 days from the order (allowing 28 days to get the works done). This would mean the property was empty by then anyway and it then becomes prohibited for occupation which will follow on for the new owners. I think the council would be happy with that as an alternative but not much else I guess.