Ground Rent - Additional Administration Charge

pivotalgubbins

Quick query for any knowledgeable bodes on here - I have a two-bed maisonette with a long lease (900+ years) that only incurs an annual ground rent charge, which is £75 until 2020-something.

This is my second year in the flat, last year I got a note through the post saying I owed the £75 and I duly paid. I've just received the note for this year which includes an additional £5 charge, itemised as 'Administration'.

Now, I realise this is a relatively small amount but am I liable to pay it? Is it something that can be reasonably expected to be requested? My only concern is that by paying this I am setting a precedent for this to become a yearly charge (at ever-increasing rates).

Any advice?

DVardysShadow

Dear <grabbing thieves>

Herewith please find our cheque for the ground rent of £75 for <address> for <period>. This payment is inclusive of all administration charges. If you believe that a further £5 is due for your administration, you are required to explain under what provision of the lease this charge is made, whereupon, if the money is due, it will be promptly paid. In the absence of any justification, your request for this sum is refused.

Yours sincerely

pivotalgubbins

pivotalgubbins

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Dear <grabbing thieves>

Herewith please find our cheque for the ground rent of £75 for <address> for <period>. This payment is inclusive of all administration charges. If you believe that a further £5 is due for your administration, you are required to explain under what provision of the lease this charge is made, whereupon, if the money is due, it will be promptly paid. In the absence of any justification, your request for this sum is refused.

Yours sincerely

pivotalgubbins

I thought so - very useful, thanks.

propertyman

You then add to the suggested letter

Any amount for administration that is,or claimed to be, due under the lease is not due until you send it with the Summary of Rights for Admin charges.

Please refer to The Administration Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations) (England) Regulations 2007 section 2 (a) 1

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1258/regulation/2/made

DVardysShadow

propertyman wrote: »

You then add to the suggested letter

Any amount for administration that is,or claimed to be, due under the lease is not due until you send it with the Summary of Rights for Admin charges.

Please refer to The Administration Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations) (England) Regulations 2007 section 2 (a) 1

I agree. Except for one thing. Save that for the second letter if they don't give up after the first. Make them work hard not to get their £5.

propertyman

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I agree. Except for one thing. Save that for the second letter if they don't give up after the first. Make them work hard not to get their £5.

That's 2 letters and two stamps at £1.20- do you have money to burn? :rotfl:

DVardysShadow

propertyman wrote: »

That's 2 letters and two stamps at £1.20- do you have money to burn? :rotfl:

You should not be looking at the ratio of the cost of stamps to the cost of paying them off. You should be looking at how much you can make it cost this outfit to get £5.

I would send such letters second class. Obviously it is you who has the money to burn.

propertyman

I was being polite and making a joke out of it. So I'll be to the point


"Don't **** about playing games with your second letter, send one"

Job done.