We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Management Company sent Adjustment bill for period before I moved into the property

My management company has sent an adjustment bill for the period ending July 2018. I moved into the property in September 2018. The adjustment is because the cleaning costs was £228 under estimated apparently.


My question is, Am liable for costs occurred before I purchased the property?


Thanks

Comments

  • kuratowski
    kuratowski Posts: 1,415 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Yes you are
  • Yep - had a few similar posts. One of those things that can happen unfortunately
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Most leases allowfor service charges to be estimated at the start of the year,paid in advance (either annually, quarterly, monthly), and then adjusted at the end of the year with a refund or further charge as appropriate.


    The solution when buying is to have the seller's solicitor to hold onto an agreed amount of the purchase price till the end of the year instead of passing it all to the seller on Completion.


    If a bill arrives, that money is then released back to the buyer topay the bill. If no further bill arrives, it is released to the seller.
  • Did your solicitor not take a retention from the sellers for this eventuality?
  • npmaster
    npmaster Posts: 30 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Posts
    Thanks for the replies.



    My solicitor did not take a retention as far as I know.



    Seem unfortunate that I am liable. But if that is the case then so be it.
  • ThePants999
    ThePants999 Posts: 1,748 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Definitely double-check with your solicitor (and grumble at them if they didn't...)
  • AlexMac
    AlexMac Posts: 3,066 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    This exact thing happened to me. Until I asked, I didn't even know that it was normal for (any half competent) solicitor to keep a retention against this likely occurrence when they see the SC is based on an estimate (As many are).. Result!

    Let's hope you selected a half competent solicitor?
  • npmaster
    npmaster Posts: 30 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Posts
    Thanks. I just sent an email to my solicitor. hopefully they have done this then
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    npmaster wrote: »
    Thanks. I just sent an email to my solicitor. hopefully they have done this then
    Don't hold your breath. You'd either know if this had been agreed, or be such a **** as to be unwise to have gone into home-ownership!
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.6K Life & Family
  • 259.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.