Cheque received from managing agent, meant for me?

UKViking

Here we go, a question of morals?

I recently bought a flat which exchanged in December, and in which I now live. It's leasehold, and there are fairly steep maintenance bills to pay (it's a block of flats). The account was up to date until March 25th 2010, so I had a few months without needing to pay.

However, I have just received a letter from the managing agents, addressed to me (I called them with my name, details and to let them know I'd bought the place etc when I moved in). It contains a letter to say that "I" have over-charged and therefore have overpaid by some £1800 in 2009 (before I actually owned the flat) for some "external renovations". Therefore they have deducted about £800 for the upcoming half yearly maintenance and provided me with a check for £1000.

As the new owner of the flat, am I entitled to this as I actually own the account now?

If I cash it the previous owners may never query this? Or am I playing with fire?

The previous owners are a company abroad and have a portfolio of properties, and have never actually seen the flat I live in in the 15 years they owned it.

iamana1ias

UKViking wrote: »

Here we go, a question of morals?

I recently bought a flat which exchanged in December, and in which I now live. It's leasehold, and there are fairly steep maintenance bills to pay (it's a block of flats). The account was up to date until March 25th 2010, so I had a few months without needing to pay.

However, I have just received a letter from the managing agents, addressed to me (I called them with my name, details and to let them know I'd bought the place etc when I moved in). It contains a letter to say that "I" have over-charged and therefore have overpaid by some £1800 in 2009 (before I actually owned the flat) for some "external renovations". Therefore they have deducted about £800 for the upcoming half yearly maintenance and provided me with a check for £1000.

As the new owner of the flat, am I entitled to this as I actually own the account now?

If I cash it the previous owners may never query this? Or am I playing with fire?

The previous owners are a company abroad and have a portfolio of properties, and have never actually seen the flat I live in in the 15 years they owned it.

Of course it's not yours! And keeping it would be theft.

Aren't you a lovely person! :mad:

BLT_2

UKViking wrote: »

Here we go, a question of morals?

I recently bought a flat which exchanged in December, and in which I now live. It's leasehold, and there are fairly steep maintenance bills to pay (it's a block of flats). The account was up to date until March 25th 2010, so I had a few months without needing to pay.

However, I have just received a letter from the managing agents, addressed to me (I called them with my name, details and to let them know I'd bought the place etc when I moved in). It contains a letter to say that "I" have over-charged and therefore have overpaid by some £1800 in 2009 (before I actually owned the flat) for some "external renovations". Therefore they have deducted about £800 for the upcoming half yearly maintenance and provided me with a check for £1000.

As the new owner of the flat, am I entitled to this as I actually own the account now?

If I cash it the previous owners may never query this? Or am I playing with fire?

The previous owners are a company abroad and have a portfolio of properties, and have never actually seen the flat I live in in the 15 years they owned it.

PMSL - You can almost imagine it, I have received a phone call from the company who sold the car I am driving stating that they had overcharged the preivous owner by 3k, as I am now the owner of the car is that my money :-)

If you take the money yourself it is theft pure and simple. You get 1800 pounds in the short term and a criminal record in the long term, try getting car insurance or any other number of financial products with a conviction for fraud on your record, it would be interesting to watch :rotfl:

UKViking

Thanks for your input. Writing a letter back to them as we speak regarding this.

However, worried that they now might backdate the maintenance payments to when I completed. Where does the buck stop?

iamana1ias

UKViking wrote: »

Thanks for your input. Writing a letter back to them as we speak regarding this.

However, worried that they now might backdate the maintenance payments to when I completed. Where does the buck stop?

You're worried they might want what you owe? Surely not. Why are you so opposed to paying your own way?

I bet karma can't wait for you, pal! :rotfl::rotfl:

UKViking

Ok mister moral on his high horse. I'm probably the most honest guy you'll ever come across. Posting here is an exercise. Imagine you received a cheque for a thousand pounds when you really needed it! But I'd NEVER take the chance of fraud! Regarding the clear account, it's a serious question. If you buy a property and the account for maintenance has been paid up to the next bill date, and the managing agent says to you that it's clear up until then, is there a need to pay it? So far it's been viewed as a bonus!

iamana1ias

UKViking wrote: »

Ok mister moral on his high horse. I'm probably the most honest guy you'll ever come across. Posting here is an exercise. Imagine you received a cheque for a thousand pounds when you really needed it! But I'd NEVER take the chance of fraud! Regarding the clear account, it's a serious question. If you buy a property and the account for maintenance has been paid up to the next bill date, and the managing agent says to you that it's clear up until then, is there a need to pay it? So far it's been viewed as a bonus!

I'm female.

There is if they ask you to. No requirement for any 'bonus' to be permanent.

DVardysShadow

iamana1ias wrote: »

Of course it's not yours! And keeping it would be theft.

Aren't you a lovely person! :mad:

Wait until Fire Fox answers this thread before sending any money back!

I suspect that if it were a bill because costs had overrun, the new leaseholder would be liable, so it may be that the benefit of the repayment should go to the new leaseholder

Kimmy2309

We completed on a flat in March and the previous owners had paid the service charges up until July so we re-imbursed them for those charges from the date of completion. I would check wtih the solicitors to see if you did the same because some of that money might belong to you.

fimonkey

Would it be too ridiculousto call the management company and ask them? As DVarrdy says, if it was a shortfall then the management company might make you responsible even though you didn't own the flat?

For the record, I would have the same thoughts as you and wouldn't immediately think of giving it back. The fact you posted on here shows your considering the issue properly and canvassing opinion so ignore the 'bad Karma/Thief' posts for now.

Good luck!

marc-h_2

Others have said the same but who would legally responsible if the situation was reversed and there was extra money to pay on work carried out before you moved in? I bet the old owner wouldn't be very quick to pay it out.