Service Charges

TOD21

I bought an ex-council property about eighteen months ago. I have recently received demands for eighteen months of service charges (six months in arrears and one year in advance).

I was obviously aware that service charges would be payable but the combined total is almost £1,600 which is excessive to say the least.

Some of the charges are justified and I have no problem paying them (insurance, communal electricity etc) but the bulk of the charges are for maintenance, maintenance, which I don’t believe, has been carried out. My list of objections includes, but are not limited to-

Both entry doors broken for over three months, allowing anyone entry to the building.

One of the lifts out of service for over four months, the other often breaks down (two of my friends were trapped in the lift and had to be rescued by the fire brigade)

The window by the front door smashed and boarded up for the last three months, still hasn't been repaired.

Stairwells haven't been painted in years.

Place is generally dirty, with only the most basic of cleaning ever carried out.

My question is has anyone ever successfully challenged service charges in a council owned building, and if so, how did they go about it? I was thinking of threatening to complain to the HSA on the grounds that the lack of service constitutes a health and security risk in the hope that that may scare them off.

I know someone who claims to be still paying off £30 a month on a £4,000 service charge bill on a council property after simply claiming to have no money. I could pay the £1,600 out of savings but I don't see why I should. £1,600 is more than I have ever paid for anything non-essential in my life, and represents several months of saving. However nor do I want to be paying installments for years to come and simply have the charges keep adding up.

Does anyone have any advice on how to successfully challenge service charges or does anyone have similar stories they wish to share?

stevetodd

TOD21 wrote: »

I bought an ex-council property about eighteen months ago. I have recently received demands for eighteen months of service charges (six months in arrears and one year in advance).

I was obviously aware that service charges would be payable but the combined total is almost £1,600 which is excessive to say the least.

Some of the charges are justified and I have no problem paying them (insurance, communal electricity etc) but the bulk of the charges are for maintenance, maintenance, which I don’t believe, has been carried out. My list of objections includes, but are not limited to-

Both entry doors broken for over three months, allowing anyone entry to the building.

One of the lifts out of service for over four months, the other often breaks down (two of my friends were trapped in the lift and had to be rescued by the fire brigade)

The window by the front door smashed and boarded up for the last three months, still hasn't been repaired.

Stairwells haven't been painted in years.

Place is generally dirty, with only the most basic of cleaning ever carried out.

My question is has anyone ever successfully challenged service charges in a council owned building, and if so, how did they go about it? I was thinking of threatening to complain to the HSA on the grounds that the lack of service constitutes a health and security risk in the hope that that may scare them off.

I know someone who claims to be still paying off £30 a month on a £4,000 service charge bill on a council property after simply claiming to have no money. I could pay the £1,600 out of savings but I don't see why I should. £1,600 is more than I have ever paid for anything non-essential in my life, and represents several months of saving. However nor do I want to be paying installments for years to come and simply have the charges keep adding up.

Does anyone have any advice on how to successfully challenge service charges or does anyone have similar stories they wish to share?

Hi,
I own 3 flats in an ex-council block, it is actually a very nice brick built block and all privately owned now but the council is obviously the freeholder. You raised quite a few issues I think one thing I should warn you about straight away is that redecoration of the common areas will come under 'major works' not the 'serice charge'. From what you say this will need doing soon, this will result in a major works bill being issued in which as a leaseholder you would have to pay your share.

The other issues you need to complain about the fact that they have not been done which makes the building bad to live in AND that you have been paying for this work with your service charge and would expect someone to look at a possible reduction to your bill. Is there a committee or anything where all the leaseholders and tenants can voice a common opinion? Complaints would carry more weight if voiced this way. It may be something like the cleaning means that the cleaners are being paid to do it but aren't performing, complaining might change this quite quickly.

On another small block of only 4 flats we both bought the freehold and challenged the work itemised in service bill and The council reduced the bill. It was years ago as we bought the freehold around 2000 I think, but they did reduce the bill, but it was easy for us as there was only 4 of us and we were all working together to buy the freehold

fatpig_2

Councils are notorious for shafting leaseholders so it'll almost certainly be good to challenge it if you can get a group of other leaseholders to join you.