Service charge increased by 900%!!

nayine

Thank you for the many posts I have received to answer a few questions. We have just started a residents assosiation in light of these new costs.

As far as I am aware we just got a letter saying the company had changed and we were not told beforehand.

There are 21 flats not all in use some are rented some are owned. They were originally shops with flats above that have now nearly all been converted into just flats with the exception of three shops remaining. It is not council property and I don't think it has ever been social property.

Thank you for that website I will make sure everyone in the newly formed residents association have a read through that.I have looked back over the previous years and the highest bill previously was £98/quarter when they redid the garden at the back added a patio area and play area for the children.

Hope this helps.

PlutoinCapricorn

You are certainly entitled to dispute charges for services that you have never received eg security guard. You are also entitled to evidence that, where relevant, you are being charged at reasonable rates i.e. that the management company has shopped around for a good price and has not awarded an expensive cleaning contract to a 'friend'.

You do need a united front with the other residents on this one; many blocks of flats now have their own management companies run by the residents.

You really should have been consulted and informed in advance of a changeover.

nayine

anamenottaken wrote: »

The amounts may not be uncommon but the OP suggests that they are trying to charge for services not provided - such as a security guard.

Do the flats require a security guard?

No. The area is quite crime free. There are gates at the side that can be shut at nights (not locked with a key just shut with one of them pole things (that's about as technical as I get I'm afraid!). Our cars all have their own car parking space behind these gates, (although I don't drive and thus don't have a car) and we have never needed nor seen a security guard in the past.

PlutoinCapricorn

It could be that the new company has used the details of a different block of flats.

There are procedures for both sides to go through for official disputes, but you could contact them and ask why they think you have a security guard.

PlutoinCapricorn

Are you anywhere near a Citizens' Advice Bureau?

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/housing_e/faq_index_housing/faq_housing_leaseholders_can_freeholder_raise_service_charge_for_repairs.htm

nayine

I'm hoping so. In the past I have been charged 13p for security which was to replace the bulbs in the security lights!

I have a copy of the solicitors questions about the service charge when we brought the flat. They asked the question do you have provisions for a sinking fund and if so please provide details. They answered "not applicable". I'm not sure if that is relevant.

nayine

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Are you anywhere near a Citizens' Advice Bureau?

I'm quite close to one. I can get my daughter-in-law to take me I hope. I just don't know when I can get an appointment and believe me for my local one you need an appointment!

tim123456789

Kayalana99 wrote: »

How do they actally benifit from the roof anyway? If it wasn't thier it wouldn't affect the OP.

What a stupid, lame answar.

I do hope you get better responses soon.

I can assure (from personal experience) if the roof doesn't stop water flooding in when it rains, it isn't just the top floor flat that suffers

tim

moromir

The date on the bill is irrelevent, your lease will contain a clause to the effect that "the service charge is due on quarterly dates whether formally demanded or not". Therefore it is your responsibility to pay, not for them to bill and remind you (on May 29th or otherwise).

I don't know where you are located but £287 per quarter sounds extremely reasonable, the only flats I know with service charges like those are falling apart and in really down and out areas.

"normal" to "affluent" areas around here, the flats are paying anything from £100-£180 a month.

Is it actually a bill or is it a budget sheet that you've got? If the latter, then it is sensible to budget for things like pest control.

Again, if it is a budget or a bill (account), the account headers may be restricted, therefore security could cover things like door entry system maintenance, repairs to communal doors or windows (i.e. locks), security signage (i.e. area covered by cctv, please shut communal door etc) and so forth. I.e. don't read it so literally.

tim123456789

moromir wrote: »

The date on the bill is irrelevent, your lease will contain a clause to the effect that "the service charge is due on quarterly dates whether formally demanded or not". Therefore it is your responsibility to pay, not for them to bill and remind you (on May 29th or otherwise).

.

It might say that for the GR, which is a know annual fee.

But it cannot possible say that for the service charge which is a variable charge and the Leaseholder can have no way of knowing what to pay unless he is "billed" first.

tim