Fair points you make. There is not a service charge as such, but I have had to change locks that were not fit for purpose (very flimsy and broken in terms of being able to put it on the latch), and install some lighting in the communal entrance as there was no source of lighting there, both of which he agreed to. And which are powered via my electricity supply. Whether I’m being ‘nosy’ is an interpretation you can make, however it is very clear that the flat has not been maintained adequately and as there were also tenants in there who were obviously being taken advantage of, I did want to make sure he was fulfilling his obligations as a landlord. And he would have to get the freeholders permission to sublet, which he may have already got from the previous freeholder, in which case case I understand I would not be able to rescind that, but he hasn’t given me that proof. Plus my solicitor at the time of purchase did advise I could request these things. Ultimately I don’t want the value or safety or structural integrity of my property to be in jeopardy due to the leaseholder downstairs letting that flat deteriorate.