Solicitors charges for late payment of ground rent

shombear

I have recently tried to pay my ground rent but was told I could not pay it because there was a breach of lease. I did not understand what this was about until it was clarified. Apparently, I had not paid my building insurance for over a year and a half. I was surprised as I was unaware of this or even that I had to pay buildings insurance as my Lease indicates that this is paid by the freeholder. Perhaps I am reading this wrong? Also I had received no requests or mail indicating I was in arrears with the building insurance. However, SLC insists that I have been sent many requests for buildings insurance. Now I am slammed with a bill for £1,352 which comprises late payment fees and threats of court action. Has anyone experienced anything of this sort? I feel bullied and very concerned. I don't know where to turn to find out if indeed I am liable for the building insurance and I also don't know why I have never received the letters and information they claim was sent me (over 10 letters). I only knew about this through attempting to pay my ground rent. I am prompt with payments as I don't like things hanging around and bothering my peace of mind.

Lumen

RupertTheCat wrote: »

I had a similar situation last year, where I was two weeks late paying 3 lots of ground rent. I had tried to pay it online, but the online system wouldn't work, then I forgot, and so sent them a cheque a few weeks late. This was after they sent me a reminder with admin fees that were 50% of the ground rent. I laughed, and sent a cheque for the original amount, minus the admin fees. The cheque was duely returned with a letter stating that it wasn't acceptable as I owed the extra admin fees. I sent the cheque back telling them to take a running jump. Anyhow...

To cut a long story short that cheque went backwards and forwards for 3 months, then went to their solicitors and came back to me again but now the charges had escalated from about £400 to £1500 with solicitors fees. How I laughed (again). Cue one extremely stroppy letter from me to the solicitors, plus one from my own conveyancing solicitor, a 3 month silence from the ground rent people and their solicitors, then a sudden letter from them saying that they would accept the cheque and drop the charges.

So if you are prepared to stand your ground and have a battle, you can win. My ground rent company are notorious for being swines, which was partly why I was determined not to pay their ridiculous charges.

Needless to say this year I was very careful to pay my ground rent charges early.

And yes I know, it was partly my own fault for being forgetful. Please don't throw things at me.

Hi RupertTheCat,
I have a similar problem to yours. Could you please give me the name of your conveyancing solicitors please?
Thank you,

chrisglew

I also have a similar situation with payment of service charges.. SLC sent me a letter with additional charges and threatening recovery action and I had not even received a demand for payment of the service charges. I am disputing the extra charges anyway but it would be really helpful to know the content your solicitor's letter to SLC.
Thanks