Are you a leaseholder and have issues with your property manager?

Mokka

If you have access to internet you can ask them to call you back. Regarding finding out when the freeholder paid for the works, the only way to find this out is from them.

Try reading up on the 18-month rule on LEASE and Service Charge Dispute Guide websites. It is impossible to explain everything on a forum and a lot depends on the exact wording of your lease.

Good luck.


A word of warning- it is often better to pay and contest later, as the freeholder can try to take you to court to forfeit your lease- you could end up liable for their legal costs and in the worst case scenario even lose your home (with all your equity).

Leaseholder Knowledge website warns about this.

i_dread_the_postman

Thank you Mokka for your input, I do appreciate it. I have finally got through to the Leasehold Advisory Service, I was in a queue for 40 minutes. I spoke to a Solicitor who advised me that I could appeal to the Housing Ombudsman, although making a mistake was human error and not a crime. However, harassment is a criminal offence, and I do feel I was harassed by the Income Recovery Letters sent threatening legal action if I did not pay the remainder of Major Works amount still owing.
I did make an agreement to pay this in 6 instalments, I pay the final one at the end of May, though thanks for your warning.
I have looked at the LEASE and Service Charge Dispute Guide websites, but did not really understand all the legalese.
However, I am still appealing to the Housing Ombudsman, although their office told me this could take up to one year as there is a backlog.

JEB71

Hello, I'm a leaseholder and having a nightmare with the managing agent/freeholder of the property. Almost a year ago May 2015 I asked the freeholder that also happens to be the managing agent to sort out an issue with the roof and firewall of my flat. Almost a year later I am still waiting for this to be fixed. In the meantime the interior of my property is looking unsightly due to the unresolved problem of the roof and firewall.

Back in July 2015 a section 20 was issued. I gave the Managing Agent two contractors names to ask for estimates but he has not contacted them. Just recently in April 16 I heard from my neighbour that 2 quotes for the work had been obtained but as yet i haven't seen any estimates and certainly not from my contractors. I'll called them to hear if they were asked to give estimates both have said no.

Previously, in Nov 2015 after much pressure from myself and neighbour the managing agent got someone to erect scaffolding so estimates could be obtained and the work completed. The scaffolding has been left up until 5th may 16. One of the contractors that did give an estimate recently informed the managing agent the scaffolding was 'unsafe' and to do the work they have to put up their own scaffolding.

After I complained about the scaffolding being unsafe the managing agent took it down on 5th may 16. I also asked why I should have to pay for scaffolding that has been there for months and possibly being unsafe yet also having to pay for new scaffolding to erected to complete the work? This seems very irregular to me. He wrote back saying the scaffolding was only for the estimates to be completed. I believe this is rubbish as whenever we've had work done before it has just been one set of scaffolding - why on earth would you pay for scaffolding twice?

Any advice please - I'm getting very disheartened and stressed by the whole situation.

Thanking you.

Taploc

I am a leaseholder of an ex-council property that is a street property and not a flat in a block.

I'm interested in making contact with other similar leaseholders of ex-council street properties just to share views, experience and tips. Thanks.