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Housing developments with residents club
pacific4130
Posts: 49 Forumite
Hi,
My partner and I are currently in the process of buying a house. The development it is on (built approx mid 90s) has a residents club / association. It's a kind of like a community hall, with squash+badminton courts and bar/reception rooms.
Whilst viewing we were told that there was a annual payment for the club. That didn't bother us too much as it was fairly low and many estates these days have maintenance fees etc. My partner, being tea-total, is a bit annoyed to be 'subsidising a drinking club'. I'm not too fussed as I think there are some communal benefits even if we don't use it.
During conveyancing (we're close to being able to complete) the sellers are not being very forthcoming with much information regarding the legal status of the residents club. Fair enough, maybe they don't know (some people are happy to pay without thinking). But, quite rightly, our solicitor is requesting time to investigate the legal obligations, etc.
My partner is starting to get cold feet on the property - not helped by the fact the owners have been really lazy getting their admin done - returning forms, etc. My partner has already started her new job in the area and is started to get annoyed at having to pay for hotel rooms. She's quite tempted to ditch the house, get a short term rent, and look again.
In hindsight, I should have dug deeper into the issue at the start but I've never lived in a property with such a set-up. My opinion of the seller was also that he was very knowledgeable and details would be forthcoming (he's lived there a long time and his parents live on the estate).
Anyone lived on a development with a community club? Any advice on stuff to check out? Obviously my solicitor is on the case but I don't trust any solicitor as far as I can throw 'em!
My partner and I are currently in the process of buying a house. The development it is on (built approx mid 90s) has a residents club / association. It's a kind of like a community hall, with squash+badminton courts and bar/reception rooms.
Whilst viewing we were told that there was a annual payment for the club. That didn't bother us too much as it was fairly low and many estates these days have maintenance fees etc. My partner, being tea-total, is a bit annoyed to be 'subsidising a drinking club'. I'm not too fussed as I think there are some communal benefits even if we don't use it.
During conveyancing (we're close to being able to complete) the sellers are not being very forthcoming with much information regarding the legal status of the residents club. Fair enough, maybe they don't know (some people are happy to pay without thinking). But, quite rightly, our solicitor is requesting time to investigate the legal obligations, etc.
My partner is starting to get cold feet on the property - not helped by the fact the owners have been really lazy getting their admin done - returning forms, etc. My partner has already started her new job in the area and is started to get annoyed at having to pay for hotel rooms. She's quite tempted to ditch the house, get a short term rent, and look again.
In hindsight, I should have dug deeper into the issue at the start but I've never lived in a property with such a set-up. My opinion of the seller was also that he was very knowledgeable and details would be forthcoming (he's lived there a long time and his parents live on the estate).
Anyone lived on a development with a community club? Any advice on stuff to check out? Obviously my solicitor is on the case but I don't trust any solicitor as far as I can throw 'em!
0
Comments
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If the obligations to pay for the club aren't explained in the deeds then I'm not sure how you would be legally tied to it at all? Is there literally zero mention of any charge?0
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Go round to the club and ask them how they are funded.
Thinking of buying want a look round at the faciities etc.
Is this a freehold property?0 -
Phone them up ask to speak to the treasurer, ask if it is just membership fees something else.
It's not the annual fees it the liabilities on the property repairs etc.
Get a copy of the deeds and find out what else is lurking as old covenants on the land can give you resonsibilities.
If you give up on this one get a copy of the deeds early on the next one.0
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