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Ground Maintenance Fees - Justified?

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Hi all,

First post here! Need advice on a ground maintenance issue i'm disputing.

Purchased a new build in December 2017 - with that there is a annual fee I am required to pay to Vivid Homes for the maintenance of the estate. Firstly, I have not seen any evidence of what they do, secondly I am sure that I am only required to start paying the fees once the estate has been completed by the developer? They are yet to tarmac the road which our house leads onto (exposed drain covers etc)

Our original plans were clear that it would be a one way system in the road which hasn't been done either. Developer isn't interested and has packed up and moved on to their next venture.

Am I over reacting to this or do I genuinely have rights here? I don't feel I should pay any fees to anybody until the original works have been completed to the spec that I signed and paid for?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

Comments

  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 17,933 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Your argument seems logical, but the only way to prove it is to refuse to pay and give your reasons. See what happens.
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You can't just make up reasons to not pay, if your lease or deeds say you have to pay, then you have to pay
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • Maybe this thread could be moved to the House Buying, Renting and Selling Board?

    I think the management company have to provide information on request showing how the money is being spent but there's more knowledgeable posters on the other board.
    In the game of chess you can never let your adversary see your pieces
  • troffasky
    troffasky Posts: 398 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    If it's a service charge then it has to be demanded in a prescribed form, otherwise it's not due. That's not exactly a long-lasting defence, however.


    You refer to something you signed but haven't quoted any of it here so not really much advice anyone can give you.
  • HampshireH
    HampshireH Posts: 4,917 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have you checked the grounds maintenance fees arent estate wide. This means maintaining any borders, small grass verges etc, play parks potentially on the estate. And may be £ ÷ number of properties per annum.
  • Is your property freehold or leasehold? If freehold and this is an estate rent charge tread very carefully. Ensure that you pay every demand in full. Sell the house asap. Rent charges give the rent charge owner much more power than leasehold service charge. Loads of new builds houses have estate rent charges now and the lenders are wising up. Nationwide already refuse to lend on them, the other lenders will follow soon.
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