Resident Association Fees - Advice!

Mairibow

Looking for some advice on what the legal implications of not paying resident associations fees are.

I've just rented a property in the last month and came home today to a fairly threatening letter from the local residents association demanding £70 from every house in the area for maintaining the communal grounds of the estate. I pay council tax and this estate is by no means a new housing estate so I wouldn't expect factoring fees. I also wasn't made aware of these fees by the estate agent I've rented the property from, and it's not stated in my tenancy agreement.

The letter states that tenants are not allowed to contribute to monthly meetings and it's house owners only, however they are still asking tenants for fees.
The letter threatens debt collector and court action if you don't pay.

What are my rights here from a legal perspective? Can they legally force me to pay?

Thanks for any information

diggingdude

I'm probably wrong but would assume this is for your landlord to pay not you. If not quote no taxation without representation to them

Socajam

Keep a copy of letter and send original to landlord or agent with a letter asking them to deal with it.

Mairibow

Thanks. I've sent a copy of the letter to the estate agents to make them aware. They are pretty useless at dealing with things though so wanted to know where I stood. Keen not to pay for something I never signed up to and have no say in whatsoever.

Socajam

If the Agents does not pay, that's not your problem because you are not the homeowner
They may try to increase your rent before the contract is now - just be aware of that.

financegeek

Another vote for it being your landlord who needs to pay this, especially as it's not written in your contract.

NeilCr

Was the letter actually addressed to you personally?

If it was you might want to get the landlord/agent to amend the information held by the Residents Association.

G_M

Mairibow wrote: »

Thanks. I've sent a copy of the letter to the estate agents to make them aware. They are pretty useless at dealing with things though so wanted to know where I stood. Keen not to pay for something I never signed up to and have no say in whatsoever.

Send a copy to your landlord. As named on your enancy agreement. At the address provided 'for serving notices' (this may or may not be c/o the agent- does not matter. That's the name/address to use).

By all means send a further copy to the agent, but your landlord is responsible.

Mairibow

Send a copy to your landlord. As named on your enancy agreement. At the address provided 'for serving notices' (this may or may not be c/o the agent- does not matter. That's the name/address to use).

By all means send a further copy to the agent, but your landlord is responsible.

The tenancy agreement only has the landlords name but the c/o address is the estate agent. All communications are done through the agents and I don't have any contact details for the landlord directly. I've sent them an email with a copy of the letter asked what the deal is with it. Hopefully they will sort it but I'm always sceptical as agents are often lazy once you're in the door paying rent.

Mairibow

Was the letter actually addressed to you personally?

If it was you might want to get the landlord/agent to amend the information held by the Residents Association.

Nope not addressed to me directly by name (I'd be surprised if they knew) only the house number and street name was referred to.

NeilCr

Mairibow wrote: »

Nope not addressed to me directly by name (I'd be surprised if they knew) only the house number and street name was referred to.

I'd have been surprised, too, but was just checking.

Really they should be sending such correspondence to the owners. That's what we do - not just sticking it through the door.