New Housing Development - Property Management Charges

dave4343

Hi,

Hoping someone can advise me.

Recently purchased a new build three bedroom house - freehold.

Yesterday I received an invoice form a property management firm for the sum of £297.00 for this year. However whilst reading the "welcome pack" it appears this is more directed at a lease holder and flat home owners.

Would I have to pay the property management firm if I am free
hold? and if so what would I expect to see for my money.

How long do you pay the property management firm for, before the local council take over?

Thanks for reading and hope someone out there can share some information.

Regards,

Dave

GavB79

It may be for communal areas such as lawn mowing, weeding, stuff like that. I bought an ex-MOD house freehold and had to pay a similar charge. It doesn't end AFAIK, unless the council adopt those communal areas.

Richard_Webster

Your solicitors should have explained all about this in a written report about the legal aspects of the property before you committed yourself to buy it. Read what they sent you. If they didn't explain that there would be some kind of maintenance charge then you may have a complaint against them...

It is possible that the management company has sent a demand to you in error, and it should only go to those with flats on the development, but unfortunately it is increasingly common to see these kinds of charges on freehold developments.

dave4343

Richard,

Many thanks for you comments.

I have looked through solicitors paperwork and this was not indentified.

You are quite right when you say this is becoming more common on freehold developments as I have a friend on another freehold development who also pays this charge.

Getting back to myself, is this charge now for ever more? Or do the local council take over eventually.

Thanks

Dave

john_white

dave4343 wrote: »

Richard,

Many thanks for you comments.

I have looked through solicitors paperwork and this was not indentified.

You are quite right when you say this is becoming more common on freehold developments as I have a friend on another freehold development who also pays this charge.

Getting back to myself, is this charge now for ever more? Or do the local council take over eventually.

Thanks

Dave

It depends what the charges are for. The council will adopt roads etc. As already said if this is for communal area's such as parks and play area's the charge will probably stay forever, going up annually by a rate well above inflation of course