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Shared Ownership Service Charges
Blondetotty
Posts: 269 Forumite
Hi, I'm not sure if anyone can help but I thought I'd ask.
I own 50% of a shared ownership property in the south of the country with the other half owned by Hyde Housing. Every year the service charge statement is vague but trying to get a breakdown of those charges in any more detail is frustratingly near impossible. This year however I've had enough. There are charges on the statement sent about 6 weeks ago which make zero sense.
I contacted them and requested under Section 21 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 for a summary of all charges. This they are supposed to supply within 1 month but their website state they will reply within 20 working days. 20 working days later (and 3 days to the 1 month time limit) I emailed and reminded them that under the LTA 1985 they have 1 month to supply the summary. I received a reply back asking what was it in particular I was querying. I responded I wanted a full summary as requested and then after this was received I would be requesting, under Section 22 of the LTA a right to view all accounts, receipts etc.
This was last Wednesday. The month was up on Saturday. I emailed the guy again on Tuesday and said that the summary was overdue and no response. I also copied in their CEO on that email. I've had nothing in the post and nothing by email.
According to the lease advisory service...."A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to perform a duty imposed on them under Section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 commits a summary offence and is liable on conviction to pay a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
The local housing authority has the power to bring a prosecution"
This is my problem. I cannot find any information on Southampton City Council website or by phoning their automated customer service line on how to escalate this. Hyde continually evade their responsibilities but the above "punishment" just seems to be an empty threat as there is no way to escalate this and force them to provide the information I'm entitled to.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to proceed. I can't see that sending any further emails or letters containing threats of prosecution will be very useful except for them to laugh at because I've hit a brick wall.
Thank you
I own 50% of a shared ownership property in the south of the country with the other half owned by Hyde Housing. Every year the service charge statement is vague but trying to get a breakdown of those charges in any more detail is frustratingly near impossible. This year however I've had enough. There are charges on the statement sent about 6 weeks ago which make zero sense.
I contacted them and requested under Section 21 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 for a summary of all charges. This they are supposed to supply within 1 month but their website state they will reply within 20 working days. 20 working days later (and 3 days to the 1 month time limit) I emailed and reminded them that under the LTA 1985 they have 1 month to supply the summary. I received a reply back asking what was it in particular I was querying. I responded I wanted a full summary as requested and then after this was received I would be requesting, under Section 22 of the LTA a right to view all accounts, receipts etc.
This was last Wednesday. The month was up on Saturday. I emailed the guy again on Tuesday and said that the summary was overdue and no response. I also copied in their CEO on that email. I've had nothing in the post and nothing by email.
According to the lease advisory service...."A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to perform a duty imposed on them under Section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 commits a summary offence and is liable on conviction to pay a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
The local housing authority has the power to bring a prosecution"
This is my problem. I cannot find any information on Southampton City Council website or by phoning their automated customer service line on how to escalate this. Hyde continually evade their responsibilities but the above "punishment" just seems to be an empty threat as there is no way to escalate this and force them to provide the information I'm entitled to.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to proceed. I can't see that sending any further emails or letters containing threats of prosecution will be very useful except for them to laugh at because I've hit a brick wall.
Thank you
0
Comments
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Contact your local councilor perhaps and ask them if they can help? It is entirely possible one or more councilors actually sit on Hyde's board.0
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Good shout, thank you! I'd not thought of that.0
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