Help! Unauthorised alterations to leasehold flat: storage heater removed

[stargirl04]

Hi, I've been a complete dimwit upon buying my first home, and failed to notice something that is likely to be expensive problem.

The previous owners removed a wall mounted storage heater from the bedroom, which I asked them about a few weeks ago when I was decorating, and they said they removed it because it was "too hot". I have a record of this conversation in the form of a text message in my phone.

I am not in a rush to put it back necessarily but I was just looking through some of the legal papers the solicitor sent me and came across the item reminding me that the council can sue me for any unauthorised electric work, however minor, carried out without the prior consent of the management company, even if I did not carry out the work myself.

(This is bound to be noticed when I eventually come to sell by someone a lot less dumb!)

Stupidly, I noticed a smaller issue before completion as I had queried some electrical work in the loft during the selling process, which turned out to be unauthorised so they got an electrician in to return it to its former state. But I missed the biggie - the storage heater in the bedroom, which I completely overlooked - because the place where it should have been was covered by a bed.

They've covered up the holes in the wall where the heater was attached with Pollyfilla, or some such, and the electric wiring has been completely removed, though the ON switch is intact.

Now in the legal documents the owners ticked NO to the question: "Is the seller aware of any alterations that have been carried out on the property since the lease was granted?"

When in fact, as they confirmed to me, they themselves removed and disconnected this heater.

So far I have had a reasonably good relationship with them, but I am pretty sure they did not seek consent for the work because they didn't seek consent for the electrics in the loft. How do I go about asking them without causing ill feeling?

And if consent wasn't sought (which I strongly suspect is the case), what do I do now? As it clearly states in the documentation that I can be sued even if I did not carry the work out.

Could I just get an electrician in to restore an approved wall heater? I am fairly sure I know the electrician who removed the original heater, but if he were to replace it, surely I will need the management company's consent and then they will realise that previous consent wasn't sought?

Thanks for reading and any advice gratefully received!

[specialsubject]

contact the leaseholder for advice; you have the records so you should be fine. Perhaps first stop could be your solicitor.

did these people not understand the function of an 'off' switch?

I'd also get an electrical check as there is a worrying air of incompetence here.

[ecuse]

Contact the freeholder and explain. I think the 'even if you don't do it yourself' thing is meant to say even if you have qualified tradesmen do it, not even if previous leaseholders have done it (but no legal expert)

[LIZS]

It is unlikely to be an issue, most management companies just agree these type of things , it is more structural problems that can be a problem . iirc storage heaters are wired into the on/off switch so as long as that has been done competently (and should have had a certificate as part of the legal pack). Did they not answer the relevant question on the seller's fixture and fittings list/questionnaire ? Ask your solicitor and if needs be they can go back to the vendor in first instance.