Trapped in my flat by huge service charges...!!

namecheck

What an awful position to be in, do hope you manage to find a solution somehow.

The issue of service charges is one reason why I would rarely recommend buying a flat. Many developers have no idea how to set service charges in the first place.

propertyman

spedders wrote: »

Still stuck here guys .... thought i had a buyer but after 9 weeks she changed her mind stating that the service charge was more than she realised ....gutted.....and they just keep hitting me with more bills... just had another one for court costs from some legal case that the tenants association took out and lost... total court cost of £250,000 split between everyone in the flats so thats another £2500 for me to pay.... rang them up and argued it was nothing to do with me but they said if i read the lease then they are entitled to bill everyone living in the buildings....

Well the lease may include such a clause but that does not mean that any old costs can be included.

I suggest you

1: write to them as a formal complaint about being told its nothing to do with you as you have every right to have charges explained.

2: Insist on seeing the invoices under section 22 of the landlord and tenant act 1985

Consider if between you leaseholders, it's worth challenging the amount at the LVT.
You will find information here http://www.lease-advice.org/

propertyman

Spartacus_Mills wrote: »

You are being bilked. Most people in flats who pay "service charges" are being bilked by the managing agents.

Just Google and you will find thousands of horror stories.
.

But for thousands there are "millions" living in flats and it is the many who are not being bilked and getting anything from mediocre to excellent service.

Any walk of life has is horror stories, it's dumb to then conclude that one rotten tomato means the whole bag is rotten.

andy.m_2

speak to a house builder and part ex?

GDB2222

propertyman wrote: »

Well the lease may include such a clause but that does not mean that any old costs can be included.

I suggest you

1: write to them as a formal complaint about being told its nothing to do with you as you have every right to have charges explained.

2: Insist on seeing the invoices under section 22 of the landlord and tenant act 1985

Consider if between you leaseholders, it's worth challenging the amount at the LVT.
You will find information here http://www.lease-advice.org/

If there's an active tenants' association, they can take over the running of the block under the Right To Manage legislation.

ali82

This situation is really bad, it sounded like the bank charged scandal equivalent to me. I hope you find a solution OP and the other person..

Spartacus_Mills

propertyman wrote: »

But for thousands there are "millions" living in flats and it is the many who are not being bilked and getting anything from mediocre to excellent service.

Any walk of life has is horror stories, it's dumb to then conclude that one rotten tomato means the whole bag is rotten.

Your sort would say that though.

I would no sooner trust a word you say than put my john thomas in the hands of a lunatic with a pair of shears.

propertyman

Spartacus_Mills wrote: »

Your sort would say that though.

I would no sooner trust a word you say than put my john thomas in the hands of a lunatic with a pair of shears.

I am honoured that you took the time to be abusive so late at night - perhaps you posted while your JT was being given a rest....

You have no idea about my sort, someone who gives of their time to help people along to get the advice they need and pointed in the right direction, if you read the thread of course- just plain evil.:grouphug:

GDB2222

Spartacus_Mills wrote: »

Your sort would say that though.

I would no sooner trust a word you say than put my john thomas in the hands of a lunatic with a pair of shears.

Your post is shameful. Propertyman is clearly one of the most knowledgeable posters here. Why should he give others the benefit of his expertise for nothing, just to be abused by somebody who knows SFA?