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Service charge issues in leasehold flats

Jox
Jox Posts: 1,651 Forumite
Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
edited 20 March 2017 at 6:01PM in House buying, renting & selling
Resolved issue :)
«134

Comments

  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    Are you sure that those costs aren't the pro rata rate?
  • Hoploz
    Hoploz Posts: 3,888 Forumite
    edited 22 September 2016 at 8:20PM
    The buyer can't be very keen if he is thinking of pulling out on a point of principle of 'inequality'
  • Jox
    Jox Posts: 1,651 Forumite
    Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    edited 20 March 2017 at 6:01PM
    Resolved issue :)
  • Jox
    Jox Posts: 1,651 Forumite
    Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    edited 20 March 2017 at 6:02PM
    Resolved issue :)
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    Jox wrote: »
    Would you want to buy a flat and pay the annual service charge (around £1200 a year) knowing that 6 flats weren't paying their share? :)

    I don't think I would and I may be in that situation unknowingly..
    ... id never buy a leasehold flat.


    But what you describe isn't inherently unfair. You pay the freeholder to provide a service, and they provide that service.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    edited 22 September 2016 at 5:21PM
    Jox wrote: »
    The building insurance is £13,000 – is it possible to have one buildings insurance policy for 42 flats over 3 floors and a separate policy for 6 flats on one floor?
    I imagine if the building burned down the 2 insurers would spend months arguing (maybe going to court) over which of them pays how much.

    Overall it's a vey unsatisfactory state of affairs. Short term, if the buyer puls out there is nothing you can do except
    * try to improve the arrangement whilst also
    * looking for a new buyer

    Longer term, my first steps would be

    * discuss with other leaseholders and see if they feel the system is fair and are willing to take action
    * if enough of you are concerned, apply for Right To Manage
    * once you control the management of the building, start billing the freeholder for services he uses eg drainage etc
    * if he refuses to pay for services that he uses but which you pay for (he may clean his own windows but I doubt he has seperate drainage!), then either withdraw those services (if possible - eg disconnect the door buzzer to the top floor?) and/or go to court.
  • Jox
    Jox Posts: 1,651 Forumite
    Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    edited 20 March 2017 at 6:02PM
    Resolved issue :)
  • Jox
    Jox Posts: 1,651 Forumite
    Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    edited 20 March 2017 at 6:02PM
    Resolved issue :)
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Jox wrote: »
    Thanks for your input G_M, I don't want to manage the building, I want to move to a house so my child can have his own bedroom but I appreciate your suggestions :)
    Then what can I say beyond the obvious? Find a new buyer....
  • ElsieMonkey
    ElsieMonkey Posts: 268 Forumite
    I don't think it's worth the effort and heartache to fight against the current set-up personally. You'll just have to find a new buyer and sooner or later one will come along where they won't take much notice of what the current set up is or it just won't bother them. Good luck
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