RE: Residential Management Company

imadali001

Hi,

I need some advice regarding my maintenance charges if you dont mind.

The Residential Management Group is our management company and over the past couple of years I have had many problems with them. They decided to take me to a debt collection company last year, even though I didnt know what it was for. Then they charged me around £300 to pay the debt collection company etc. I paid them the money despite not having our intercom fixed in 6 months even though I called them every week. The service they provide is absolutely appalling. For example the lights in our car park havent been working for 3 months and we have chased them countless times.

The reason for my email is that I got a letter today telling me to pay this years service charge of £1100 in the next couple of days or else I would be contacted by a debt collection company and would have to pay the extra £300. I called them and was told my Jan payment didnt go through, even though I set it up online. It seems like there was an issue with my online banking, which caused this payment to be missed. I was told that my payments need to be in by June and I cannot spread them over 10 months and before friday I need to pay £400 for Jan and Feb and then pay £180 in March, April and June. The problem is that I cannot afford to make these payments because we had a baby boy a few months ago and my wife isnt working. Unfortunately RMG dont understand this and need me to make the payments as requested.

Is there any way for me to make the payments over 10 months or 11 months rather than the 6 months? We havent signed a contract so I dont think they can force me to make the huge payments.

I would really appreciate any help.

KeithP

So what happened to the money you should've paid in January? Still in your bank account or have you spent it?

Send them the January and February money to start with.

Fire_Fox

Welcome to MSE! You would be better off positing on the House Buying, Renting & Selling board rather than the In my Home (Includes DIY) board, also run a search over there as this sort of query has come up several times before. You most certainly are contractually bound to pay service charges to your freeholder or his agent as part of the purchase of a freehold property.

You should read your long lease to see what rights you have to spread payments, and read this website to see what your rights you have to challenge any charges you feel are unfair or service you feel is poor:
http://www.lease-advice.org/publications/

Unfortunately not being able to afford to pay is not a valid reason not to pay service charges as per your contract (long lease). Any disputes must be outlined in writing by recorded delivery in order to form a paper trail, you should not be reporting concerns over lighting or intercoms by telephone.

I would suggest you check that you are receiving all the benefits you should be:
www.entitledto.co.uk
Support for Mortgage Interest is the benefit which covers service charges and ground rent. If this is more of a budgeting or debt issue, you may consider completing a statement of affairs and posting on the Debt-free Wannabe board:
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

imadali001

Hi,

I think I wasnt very clear in the initial posting. We do have the money, but I dont like the fact that they dictate how much we need to pay them etc when they're not doing a good job at maintaining the property.

I just wanted to know if they could do anything if I decided to pay them over 10 months rather than 6.

daveyjp

There are laws about service charges.

At the very least you should be receiving a fully audited statement of expenditure which justifies the charges being sought.

blackberry-rum

it might be worth you and your fellow residents discussing whether you would prefer to become the management company of your own properties, at least then you know where your money is going and you have a say in how it is spent. It's not easy and it's not fun (believe me, I HATE the meetings) but it is far more satisfactory than a faceless company demanding money but (apparently) not keeping their side of the bargain.