leasehold house service charges

emma.cook3

but there are very few houses which i can afford and are big enough in the area. Is the service charge really that bad? couldnt i take over the service charges? its only a small driveway area and a bin store which need maintaining

Davesnave

The serevice charge will cover more than the immediate area around the property. For example, there may be areas of grass to cut.

The problem of escalating service charges is relatively new, so if you restrict yourself to new/nearly new property, it's something you're likely to find.

You'll also pay more per m2 for a brand new property.

Crowman6971

My landlord has decided to put our service charge up 11℅ this year saying he is building a fund for 26 years time to pay for roof replacement or another big project.
I am 60 now so feel it unfair I should pay into a fund after I'm dead.
The landlord has threatened legal action if I don't pay an extra £170 PA into this fund.

Any advice?

Crowman6971

You should have a lease contract and covenant rules on paper for your property.
In it there are scheduling rules for the lessee that's you and the lessor the landlord.
Read it as it governs what the landlord can and cannot do.

Crowman6971

You should have a lease paperwork including a covenant rules schedule. This tells you what your landlord can or cannot do...

Hope this helps

27cool

I'm sure I read an article recently saying that you should avoid leasehold domestic properties like the plague.
https://www.lovemoney.com/news/15939/five-reasons-never-buy-leasehold