Leasehold Major Works charge

cowsnhope

Hi. Some major work was started on my house in November. I have asked the managing agent twice for estimated costs and before Christmas to see the quotes; he doesn't reply to me and I believe a company linked to him did the work. I've now had a bill for £800 for this work.

I have looked at some legal stuff and I think I had the right to see the quotes and to be kept informed as the cost is over £250.

Does anyone have any advise or should I just pay - they want the money now.


Thank you

Doozergirl

If the leasehold advisory service still exist, I'd contact them for advice.

I very clearly remember a regular poster here, quite some time ago had a freeholder not follow the process. The poster here ended up paying £250 for a really major job as a result of that error.

They should definitely consult you.

cowsnhope

Thank you. They are still out there but they take weeks to reply. I will try them.

Doozergirl

I've been on this forum forever.

I think is the thread, from 2006! Only had a quick scan but it does have plenty of info in it that will be helpful.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/273810

starving_artist

Yes you must be consulted for works costing above the threshold which I think is as you say £250. Even if you can't get through to an adviser at LEASE all the information you need is on the website.

cowsnhope

Thank you all. I have read this information but I don't know what to do with it. Will I just annoying my managing agent - who I've already annoyed? And what do I do if he just tells me I have to pay? Can I actually get anywhere with this? I really do think the work is over priced.

always_sunny

starving_artist wrote: »

Yes you must be consulted for works costing above the threshold which I think is as you say £250. Even if you can't get through to an adviser at LEASE all the information you need is on the website.

Is that threshold £250 across all LH properties or does it vary? I checked my lease and there's no much threshold mentioned at all.

Doozergirl

always_sunny wrote: »

Is that threshold £250 across all LH properties or does it vary? I checked my lease and there's no much threshold mentioned at all.

It's leasehold Law, not your lease.

bluesnake

Had one last year for nearly £18000 from southwark council. The gist was was find some way to pay us back, or sell your property and the council also offers to buy it back, probably not at market value. Alternative there is a clause within my lease, and I will be forced repossesion via court procedures.

All I seen tangible from my cash was new windows. Apparently they did jet-clean pipes and drains, plus apparently a new distribution board for the block.

This one here is very similar to mine https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/staggering-leasehold-service-charge-from-southwark-council.330119/
Here is one case where Southwark Council went head to head with a leaseholder http://www.leaseholdknowledge.com/george-osbornes-former-nanny-faceless-100000-bills-homelessness-refusing-pay-major-works-leasehold-ex-council-flat
50K in Oxford and once the changes are made them council tax will apparently go up too http://www.buildingconstructiondesign.co.uk/news/oxford-city-council-slaps-50-leaseholders-with-50k-bills/

This year they are putting in a water tank, no cost received yet

Also regular service charges are around 2.5K per year for 3 bedroom maisonette.

There also is “Florrie’s Law” which has a maximum of 16k in London and 10K other parts of England within 5 years, but there are some weasle-words so that councils can bypass this restriction.

Friends mock me, saying I could have had a new BMW for that price, rather than driving a 14 year old car. If you are an OAP, or most people including me, it is hard to find 18K.

starving_artist

cowsnhope wrote: »

Thank you all. I have read this information but I don't know what to do with it. Will I just annoying my managing agent - who I've already annoyed? And what do I do if he just tells me I have to pay? Can I actually get anywhere with this? I really do think the work is over priced.

You can take them to the upper tier property tribunal (formerly Leasehold Valuations Tribunal) and if they are found not to have followed the consultation procedure they can not make you pay. Lease's website explains how to do this. HOWEVER there are fees involved even if you represent yourself and it can be stressful if it goes to a hearing. It's up to to you to weigh whether it's worth it financially, morally or psychologically.

On the other hand threatening to do it might get you some results and at the very least give them notice that you know your rights and they should beware of disregarding their legal responsibilities in the future.

cowsnhope

Thank you all. I've just realised that the leasehold law says that more than one quote for the work is needed if there is a connection between the landlord and the contractor; I had thought that the managing agent had a strong connection with the contractor and was worried that the costs would not be competitive as he appointed them but don't know if this law prevents this. Does anyone know?