Arrears with Ground rent & Maintenance charges.

aggieuk

Hi

i'm just checking what my rights are here, i own my flat by way of a leasehold, and have been stuggling to pay the ground rent/building insurance/maintenence charges for this year, so owning my flat makes me a part shareholder of the company that are trying to charge me. But i have paid half of the charges already and still owe the other half. But today i received a letter stating that if i do not pay soon i will incur further charges. What i'd like to know is are they allowed to charge me for not paying on time or are they blagging me to scare me into paying quicker?

I thank you in advance for your replies!

moromir

Check your lease, there should be a schedule relating to the responsibilities of the residents' association (or its managing agent) and there may be some things in there about charges for breach of lease.

Essentially you are in breach of lease, and I think it more than likely there is provision to charge you for correspondence and if they take you to court for the arrears you would be liable for the court costs if the judge determines it.

aggieuk

Thank you for your reply i shall have a look then!!

G_M

Look at it this way. They are maintaining the property on your behalf. To do this they need money (to pay the insurance premiums, electricity bills for communal areas whatever).
If everyone paid late, or half the bill, or not at all, the building would not be insured and the electricity to the communal areas would be cut off.

If you had a freehold house and didn't pay your bills that is what would happen too.

timmyt

aggieuk wrote: »

Hi

i'm just checking what my rights are here, i own my flat by way of a leasehold, and have been stuggling to pay the ground rent/building insurance/maintenence charges for this year, so owning my flat makes me a part shareholder of the company that are trying to charge me. But i have paid half of the charges already and still owe the other half. But today i received a letter stating that if i do not pay soon i will incur further charges. What i'd like to know is are they allowed to charge me for not paying on time or are they blagging me to scare me into paying quicker?

I thank you in advance for your replies!

depends what these other charges are...but your lease will probably state interest can be paid.

work out propsals with the company, but do remember that anything you cannot pay makes it harder for your paying co-company/neighbours