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.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.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
How are flats maintenance charge calculated?

matty_hunt
Posts: 366 Forumite


Hi. Talking to some leaseholders a question arose as to how a management company determine how much annual service charge each flat pays. Given a converted house, each of the five flats is different in size. Some one bed, some two bed, one has a garden, others their own front door, others communal stairwell, etc. Is it normal to calculate each flats charge on m2, rateable value, market value, equal division?
Any input appreciated. Thanks
Any input appreciated. Thanks
0
Comments
-
They'll apportion it by whatever method the leases specify. Any of the above methods are possible, though unless flats are vastly different I would have thought equal division is most common. Plus other permutations eg costs for any lift only split among the upstairs flats.
Do you have a particular problem in mind?0 -
It should be specified in each lease.
It may be shared eqully between flats, based on number of bedrooms, square footage, or some other method.0 -
Thanks for replies.
Its renewal of the lease that has raised the concern. It is not in the original lease but solicitor says under latest legislation it should be included. It is currently on rateable value @1996 but two dingy flats pay only 5% each less than a flat twice the size that has garden and is much nicer. Naturally the owner of the smaller flats is moaning but its finding an amicable way forward. I wondered if there was a more accepted method of proportioning the charge. Thanks0 -
Are all the leases being renewed?
Who is the freeholder? Jointly owned by the leaseholders or a separate person/company?0 -
matty_hunt wrote: »I wondered if there was a more accepted method of proportioning the charge. Thanks
You're looking at this from the wrong perspective.
When you buy a flat, you are buying what it says in the lease.
So, for example, if the lease says you have to pay 25% of building maintenance, and you don't like that, your options include:- Offering less for the flat because of the maintenance terms in the lease
- Decide not to buy the flat because of the maintenance terms in the lease
It's not really realistic to buy a lease on a flat, then decide you don't like lease you've bought and want it changed.matty_hunt wrote: »It is not in the original lease but solicitor says under latest legislation it should be included. It is currently on rateable value @1996 but two dingy flats pay only 5% each less than a flat twice the size that has garden and is much nicer.
I suspect the leaseholders are confused, and are misquoting / misinterpreting the solicitor's comments.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 241K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards