Housing fees

saraiah

My Landlord and others in my block who have bought their flats from the council have each been slapped with a bill for nearly twenty thousand pounds. This is their contribution and share of the regeneration that is happening on the estates in our area. Does anyone know how this can even be legal!! It is unreasonable to say the least, and the works were not discussed with local residents first. Has anyone had any similar experiences?

C_Mababejive

Yes. With flats,you only buy the inside,not the outside..if that makes sense. You are still required to contribute to communal repairs etc.

caeler

But that sort of value is massive, I thought I'd read somewhere that over a certain threshold or if its outside of ground rent collections, then a quote is provided for and agreed up front. I may be wrong.

G_M

Why is this your concern?

OK - you're a nice tenant helping your LL out, so:

"Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires the landlord to consult the leaseholders before carrying out major works which will cost any individual leaseholder more than £250. If consultation is not undertaken the landlord cannot recover more than £250 from any individual leaseholder towards the cost of the works unless the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) has dispensed with the requirement to consult."

For more info see here.

saraiah

Thanks, the Leaseholder's Advisory Service may have some answers. The reason that it concerns me is because my Landlord has said he will sell the flat if he cannot pay the bill, meaning my children and I will have to move out if he cannot sell with tenant.

G_M

He'll have trouble finding a buyer with a £20K bill looming......!

saraiah

Yes, I agree. But not only that, alot of the flat owners are people that I have become friends with in the 5 years I have lived here. Quite a few of those are elderly, and people are at a loss for information and advice. I dont think my Landlord sees any other option. I'll just have to wait and watch events unravel.

tealady

Hi
Have you seen the bill from the Council? Is it £20, 000 each or for the whole building?

saraiah

Yes, I have seen it. The one bedroom flats have been charged around seventeen and the two beds, nearly twenty grand each. I also spoke to a few of the residents who have been charged.

lincroft1710

Unfortunately this is very common, especially in London boroughs. As GM has posted, your landlord and other flat owners should have been advised in a prescribed manner about the works needing to be done and cost and been allowed to make representations.