Problems with Management Company.

ankspon

macman wrote: »

And then it's time to get the other leaseholders involved together and boot out the management company...
Big feature on rip-off property management co's. in today 'Guardian Money'.

I would love to do that in my block

qwertinatom

Well my solicitor has taken up the Communication. He seems to think that I don't have to pay so we'll see what happens.

qwertinatom

After taking advice from Lease Advice it looks like I am Liable to pay this charge, and Due to the fact its dragged on this long the charge has risen to £671. If I factor in the price for the letter from my solicitor to the company its over £700. Gutted isn't the word but you live and you learn. Just got to find the money now. Received a legal notice from my Leaseholders solicitors today as well.

May I serve as a warning example to others.

john_white

Normally you are liable for costs/charges regardless, but, as already stated the management co. are supposed to supply details to your solicitor who can then advise you ehat the outstanding charges are.

In this case the management co. supplied the worng info to your solicitor, however your solicitor should in my opinion advised you what to do. To me it seems they have taken a fee and advised you incorrectly.

What does your solicitor say about the advice you rec'd from lease advice?

It seems to me the length of time passed has caused the costs to increase and if your solicitor has taken payment for advice which turns out to be incorrect then they must be partly liable.

Alan_M_2

What was your solicitors response to this development? If he was completely and entirely wrong I'd be asking a few questions.

qwertinatom

Well it seems I was a bit hasty in my last reply. The advice from Lease advice concerns outstanding Service charge arrears and not Outstanding charges for work completed which are in addition to service charges.

I spoke to my solicitor today and he has still not received a reply from the letter he sent to the management company. Not surprising the only reply I got was an arrears letter. So he is now going to contact their Solicitors.

Interestingly when I was reading through the info from the management companies Solicitors I noticed that the charges have now changed from outstanding work to service charge arrears. I've flagged this up with my solicitor who is going to flag this up with the other sides solicitors. I will keep everyone informed.

Natividad

I thought that once you dispute a debt then you cannot incur any arrears until the matter is resolved?

dave82_2

How can they get away with this?!? I really cannot see how you are at fault either

1. The management company failed to disclose this debt at the time of exchange. (this is highly likely due to the fact that this debt did not exist at the time of the exchange it only came into play when the management company reimbursed their residents due to THEIR ERROR)

2. Your solicitor has failed to disclose the debt to you.

How can they just keep adding more and more money to the outstanding debt this seems like bullying to me?!??

I would be asking to see where in the law it says you must settle outstanding service charges or work that was not disclosed at the time of exchange due to the management companies error!! Ask the management comapny to point this out to you in your contract.

I hope some real tough legislation comes in to control these so called professional companies.

qwertinatom

WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

I am happy to report that I've won and the arrears have been cancelled. My Solicitor Contacted the Management companies Solicitors, who replied that it was a mistake on their clients behalf and the arrears should be cancelled.

On Saturday morning I received a letter from the Management company showing the arrears had been deleted from my account. A letter should be coming from the Solicitors (both my own and the management companies) to let me know that this matter is now settled.

I'm chuffed! Feels like a weight lifted!

Alan_M_2

Great news indeed and common sense prevailed for a change.

I trust the management company covered your legal fees as the whole affair was their error?