Garden maintenance charges on freehold property

theresa17

I have to pay a share of the cost of maintenance for gardens and roads in a small private estate. The three owners of the land are also residents and three of them run the management company that demands the money. One of them also carries out all the work on the grounds. The charge is currently over £600 a year and my property is freehold. I am now trying to sell and people just don't understand why the charge is so high. I have not been given a recent breakdown of costs but the last one I have is from 2011 and we are charged for extras such as printing, stationery, accounts, legal fees?, building insurance, management fee, companies house filing fee, Surely it isn't legal to charge me for these. I am more that happy to pay for the gardeners work and the external lighting but I think that's where the fees should end.
Sorry to go on but this is really getting to me now - 27 viewings all loving the property but not the additional charges!

Lokolo

I am assuming the 3 residents have set up a service management company and one of the residents is also the employee of the company who carry out the tasks.

The money you pay will go towards the cost of running the service management company, which costs money to do so. Not sure why you think they shouldn't be charged, the money has to come from somewhere to pay for the bills.

princeofpounds

Have you confirmed this is legally binding? On what basis?

phill99

This is now a common occurrence in new developments. Years ago, councils take on responsibility for all roads as well as green areas, verges etc on. Development (ie 'adopt ' them). This no longer the case and many new developments have management companies set up to undertake green space landscaping etc. As a Limited company is set up, you have the responsibility to pay for the full costs associated with the company which will include legal fees, auditors fees, companies house registration fees etc as well as the work that is being undertaken ie gardening.

This is going to become a far more regular occurrence given the ste of council finances.

G_M

Though I do wonder about " building insurance" if it is just communal gardens being maintained....

Do you insure your own property OP?

theresa17

I do insure my semi detached bungalow and also the garage which is in a compound.
The bungalows were built within the grounds of a large house that has since been converted into four flats. That is a listed building - mine is not (having been built in 1980's)
The flats were originally leasehold but now they have all bought the freeholds. Along with the freehold three of the vendors bought the land (gardens and drive) that surrounds the buildings. It is these owners of who have set up a company and are the managing agents.
My main concern was the fact that a lot of my viewers have commented on how much the charge is particularly as it is a freehold property (and always has been)
But from the comments received I obviously have nothing to worry about - so thank you for your replies.