Managing Agent's Maintenance Bills

andycu

Hi there,
Myself and the other leaseholders in our building have been given a hefty bill (over £3500 each) for works which won't start until Spring 2009. It's due December 25th! Do I have the right to hang onto it at least until works start? That's a LOT of money to be gathering interest in their account and not mine!! Especially during these difficult times!!
Many thanks for any advice!! :-)

Oblivion

andycu wrote: »

Hi there,
Myself and the other leaseholders in our building have been given a hefty bill (over £3500 each) for works which won't start until Spring 2009. It's due December 25th! Do I have the right to hang onto it at least until works start? That's a LOT of money to be gathering interest in their account and not mine!! Especially during these difficult times!!
Many thanks for any advice!! :-)

Andy, this is entirely dependant on what the terms of your lease say. Does the lease include the right for the landlord to create a 'sinking fund' and if so, are there limits specified as to what can be billed for in advance of works taking place, and a specified time frame for making payment?

If none of these terms exist in your lease, then the landlord has no legal right to demand money before work has taken place.

Research the Landlord & Tenant Acts on the web. You have many rights as a leaseholder, particularly where costly works are involved.

Dave.

andycu

Thanks Dave, will check the lease! :-)