New Build Maintenance Charge

Unicorn_cottage

Have a read of this website which includes Trinity developments...

https://www.homeownersrights.net/welcome-to-hornet/

AnotherJoe

HayleyB26 wrote: »

Does having a service/maintenance charge devalue properties? Will it make the ability to sell on the property harder?

It would to me, I'd avoid. Depends how many others think like me. An increasing number I suspect.

NeilCr

Some general information here

https://www.solegal.co.uk/estate-rent-charges-beware-buying-freehold-homes-private-estates/



I live in a freehold house on a private estate (mix f freehold and leasehold) ) and it is fine. Crucial thing is that the residents own the freehold and we have a management company. That means we have control of service charges etc. We certainly don't collect these ourselves - we employ a managing agent to do this, give professional advice, carry out repairs etc etc etc.. We, recently, changed our Managing Agent and it didn't cost us anything - we just gave the required notice and employed a new one (at a slightly lower cost)

People buy and sell the houses here regularly without many problems. The basis of your estate charges will be in your house purchase paperwork (TP1 etc) which, as suggested, you should ask your solicitor to explain

In terms of the sinking fund - if you move any contribution you have made remains there. You don't get it back if that is what is being asked.

Personally, I'd only buy a house/flat on a private estate with charges if it was managed by the residents.

In all honesty given your comments about scams, fighting them, stupid amounts I doubt this is the right property for you. Not because I don't think the laws on this should not be changed - it just sounds as if it would be very stressful for you. I guess it might be worth asking what is going to happen to the freehold of the estate when it is completed. Are Redrow going to keep it, sell it or pass it over to the residents (that's what happened with us but it was a local builder who was happy to hand it to the residents)

ETA

A bit more here with a petition which was started - not signed by that many people

https://hoa.org.uk/2016/11/problems-facing-freeholders-new-developments/

HayleyB26

NeilCr wrote: »

Some general information here

https://www.solegal.co.uk/estate-rent-charges-beware-buying-freehold-homes-private-estates/



I live in a freehold house on a private estate (mix f freehold and leasehold) ) and it is fine. Crucial thing is that the residents own the freehold and we have a management company. That means we have control of service charges etc. We certainly don't collect these ourselves - we employ a managing agent to do this, give professional advice, carry out repairs etc etc etc.. We, recently, changed our Managing Agent and it didn't cost us anything - we just gave the required notice and employed a new one (at a slightly lower cost)

People buy and sell the houses here regularly without many problems. The basis of your estate charges will be in your house purchase paperwork (TP1 etc) which, as suggested, you should ask your solicitor to explain

In terms of the sinking fund - if you move any contribution you have made remains there. You don't get it back if that is what is being asked.

Personally, I'd only buy a house/flat on a private estate with charges if it was managed by the residents.

In all honesty given your comments about scams, fighting them, stupid amounts I doubt this is the right property for you. Not because I don't think the laws on this should not be changed - it just sounds as if it would be very stressful for you. I guess it might be worth asking what is going to happen to the freehold of the estate when it is completed. Are Redrow going to keep it, sell it or pass it over to the residents (that's what happened with us but it was a local builder who was happy to hand it to the residents)

ETA

A bit more here with a petition which was started - not signed by that many people

https://hoa.org.uk/2016/11/problems-facing-freeholders-new-developments/

Thanks for the advice! We haven't got our TP1 deeds yet as the property is yet to be built. I will consult with Redrow to see what the plan is for the freehold land, they will hand open spaces over to Trinity, but will clarify this.


I will also look in to assigning a solicitor who will be able to explain everything in detail.


Thanks again

comeandgo

Most new builds have management fees. They have worked well with us. Our bills have only increased by a few pounds a year. Once all the houses were sold the residents had to have a management committee and it's this committee who decide the work that needs to be undertaken. Ie do the trees need attention, do we need the grass cut more than once a fortnight does a fence need replacing.
Our deeds state we need a management company but not which company. If the one we use gets too expensive or does not give good service we would get another one when their yearly contract ends.

HayleyB26

How do you find out if we will have the control on what management will take place?

middleclassbutpoor

you would need to mobilise your neighbours and residents to form one. It will probably take a little time for people to realise that once the developer has sold up, the maintenance levels decrease and you dont see these people ever and yet your costs seem to increase...

I have had the pleasure of trinity before and the above was my experience. It just seemed like money for nothing at the end of the day.

NeilCr

HayleyB26 wrote: »

How do you find out if we will have the control on what management will take place?

Depends on who the freeholder of the land is.

If it remains as Redrow then they will appoint the agents. If they hand it over to the residents then it will be you as a group who can hire or fire. Or they could sell the freehold to someone else.

As, I think, all the properties on that development are freehold houses you will not (I believe, anyway) have the right to manage. But someone with more knowledge than me will know better.

Think this says that

https://www.lease-advice.org/advice-guide/right-manage/

Jimmy_Marz

Bit of advice to take or leave though, don't use the solicitor that the developer recommended. Even if they are a little cheaper. They will not be working in your interests, do you think they would prefer repeat business from the developer or to annoy them by asking lots of questions? (via you their client). Even if others are more expensive I would pay it for the extra impartiality.  

davidmcn

Jimmy_Marz said:

Bit of advice to take or leave though, don't use the solicitor that the developer recommended.

I suspect that, over two years after they started this thread, they're beyond the stage of picking a solicitor.