Buying a conversion flat with a loft

[craigjm]

A friend of mine is buying a top floor flat in a converted victorian house in London. The flat they are buying is the only one at the top of the house and they have access to the loft from their hall. Obviously nobody else has access to it so they can store their crap in there etc but what would the position be generally if they wanted to convert the loft? My thought is that the sale means that they own the loft as it is in the plans but I think the roof would surely be a communal asset and as such they wouldnt be able to fit dormers etc. The situation appears unclear and I am hoping their conveyancing solicitor can sort it out but has anyone here been in a similar position and know the score?

[CoolHands]

They quite likely will not own the loft space. They will not therefore be able to develop it without permission of the freeholder. They would need to pay to get permission to the freeholder and other leaseholders. The fact no one else can access it makes no difference.

A surveyor will prob be along to change some of my details but that's about the gist of it.

[Roo]

Ooh, ooh. I've watched homes under the hammer.

It's likely the freeholder owns the loft space so your friend would need to buy it from them.

Or that may be made up for the tv.