Factor Fees

amandamacg

I have just bought a house and i'm told I have to pay a yearly factor fee which pays for the local upkeep of the grassy areas in our estate (which actually consists of 1 small patch of grass and a few bushes)...This estate is the only one that charges this fee in the area as i'm told it was never handed over to the local council 21 years ago when it was built.
Can anyone explain to me if this is common and why it doesn't seem to have any impact on my council tax, i.e., I pay same as next estate who get their area looked after by local council...i'm afraid I am a bit bewildered by this area as I don't know much about it....Thanks in advance

davidmcn

amandamacg wrote: »

Can anyone explain to me if this is common

Yes

and why it doesn't seem to have any impact on my council tax, i.e., I pay same as next estate who get their area looked after by local council

For the same reason you don't get a discount for having a private road, or for not having kids at school, or for having less rubbish than next door, etc.

comeandgo

Most of the new housing estates have to pay a factors fee. There should be some sort of residents association in your estate who oversee the contractor and make sure the work is being carried out and you are not being over charged. No reduction in council tax but I bet your grass is cut more often than if the council had to do it.