A man has been unable to repair a hole in his roof for six months because the property is owned by King Charles.
Peter Batt, a home owner from Ramsgate, has been facing a frustrating and prolonged battle to repair a hole in the roof of his flat.
The complication? The building, which he purchased and subsequently rented out, is owned by King Charles through the Crown Estate.
This unusual situation has left Batt in a difficult position, unable to address the issue due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Home owner struggled with ongoing roof repair issues
For the past six months, Peter Batt, 59, has been trying to fix a leaking roof in his flat located in Priory Courtyard, Ramsgate.
Batt purchased the property in June 2019.
However, in January 2024, he moved out and chose to rent it to a friend and her daughter.
They discovered the roofing issue in February 2024 when they moved in.
Ownership Complications Involving King Charles
The building where the flat is located has been under the ownership of King Charles’ Crown Estate since November 22, 2017.
This situation arose due to a legal process known as escheat, where ownerless property reverts to the sovereign.
As a result, the Crown Estate is unable to directly manage or repair the property, including addressing the leaky roof.
Financial and administrative hurdles
The non-profit firm RMC manages Priory Courtyard. They are currently working on obtaining the freehold of the building to facilitate repairs.
Despite having permission to proceed with the repairs, initial surveys estimate the cost at approximately £74,000.
This amount is around $97,841.
Peter Batt has expressed significant frustration over the situation, describing it as a “nightmare.”
He spent several months actively seeking solutions and emailing relevant parties, but progress has been slow.
Batt’s frustration is compounded by the fact that his tenants are unable to fully enjoy the property due to the ongoing roof issue.
Batt’s tenants, a friend and her daughter, have been patiently waiting to move into the flat. They love the place despite the roof problem.
Batt feels especially bad for them, as they are currently living with friends while waiting for the repair situation to be resolved.
The unusual ownership structure of the building has complicated the repair process for Peter Batt. This has left him and his tenants in a frustrating limbo.
The Crown Estate’s inability to directly address the issue and the high cost of repairs have created a challenging situation.
As RMC works towards obtaining the freehold and addressing the roof repair, Batt’s ongoing struggle highlights the complexities involved.
This situation illustrates how royal property ownership can intersect with everyday issues.