I own a top floor leasehold flat in a two-story building, and the freeholder lives in the ground floor flat directly below. I am looking for a solicitor who has experience dealing with gaining a 'license to alter' from the freeholder to carry out alterations to a leasehold flat. My lease states that consent for alterations 'cannot be unreasonably withheld'.
As an example, I would like to make some changes to a fireplace which involves removing some brickwork, and would like to find out on what grounds the freeholder could 'reasonably' withhold consent on matters like this. What would the courts decide is 'reasonable' or 'unreasonable'? Also, I would like to establish who owns the loft space above my flat as the lease is unclear on this.
If anyone knows a solicitor who has experience with any of the above, please let me know. My many hours (days!) of Googling and phoning have proven fruitless.
Many thanks in advance all!
Jess