Advice on Southwark Council leasehold - bills and buying freedhold

[Mylo444]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of purchasing a flat in East Dulwich - 2 bed victorian conversion. It's a leasehold flat owned by Southwark Council. We've already had a few things come up in the purchasing process that has spooked us - for example S20 notice for a huge maintenance/repair cost bill which has now been dropped. So we are keen to do a bit more fact-finding on the leaseholder-freeholder experience.

It would be great to know of people's experience owning a leasehold flat - and how often you are billed for unforeseen maintenance/repair costs.

It would also be good to know if anybody has any experience buying the freehold from Southwark Council? 

Thanks!

 

[Mrs D]