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Housing association upgrades

Mechanic123
Mechanic123 Posts: 10 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi there

Please move if incorrectly placed.

We have just received a bill of 3k through the door for improvements to the close we own a flat in.

Door entry system and decoration and renewal of windows.

Dont get me wrong, it would be nice if we could get it done but dont have 3k to just hand over?

What options would we have other than the obvious of a loan to pay it as we dont really want to go down that route.

can they force us to pay?
«1

Comments

  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,164 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Did they not say they were doing the work to give you advanced notice and an approximate cost?
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    So the work hasn't been done yet, and this is just a suggestion? What exactly does the letter say? I'm guessing from the reference to a close that you're in Scotland? (the English here will start going on about freeholders and leases, which aren't relevant)
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 11 January 2020 at 1:05PM
    Mechanic123 wrote: »
    We have just received a bill of 3k through the door for improvements to the close we own a flat in.
    "A bill", or a section 20 notice?
    If it's a bill, then have you already had the s20?
    If the s20 process hasn't been followed, then there may be a cap of £250 on what you can be expected to pay.
    Door entry system and decoration and renewal of windows.

    Dont get me wrong, it would be nice if we could get it done but dont have 3k to just hand over?
    Sorry to be blunt, but that isn't the freeholder's or manager's problem. It's part of the maintenance of the building, and it's what you pay the service charge to cover. Some big jobs are outside of the capabilities of any sinking fund, so section 20 is the way in which the building managers pass those costs on to the leaseholders.
    What options would we have other than the obvious of a loan to pay it as we dont really want to go down that route.
    Sell the flat.
    can they force us to pay?
    Yes. It's in your lease. You agreed to it when you bought the flat. Nobody else is going to pay it, and every other leaseholder is in the same position.

    Is the freeholder the local authority, by any chance...?

    Edit: Just seen DavidMcN's reference to Scotland. Please confirm, OP, because the situation is very different either side of the border...
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Mechanic123 wrote: »

    Dont get me wrong, it would be nice if we could get it done but dont have 3k to just hand over?
    I have no idea. Do you or don't you?
  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,600 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Is it a RTB ?
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    csgohan4 wrote: »
    Is it a RTB ?
    If it's a tenement where the housing association are the factors, that almost certainly means yes the OP's flat was at some point a RTB from the housing association or a predecessor social landlord.
  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,600 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    davidmcn wrote: »
    If it's a tenement where the housing association are the factors, that almost certainly means yes the OP's flat was at some point a RTB from the housing association or a predecessor social landlord.

    interesting, but not surprised

    sadly the OP may not have been aware that buying the house now means they are exposed to expensive repairs, or at least didn't think it was a problem

    That's why leasehold are generally a bad idea
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    csgohan4 wrote: »
    That's why leasehold are generally a bad idea
    As above, I doubt it's leasehold.
  • M_Python
    M_Python Posts: 176 Forumite
    It's a flat not a house
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    csgohan4 wrote: »
    That's why leasehold are generally a bad idea
    But freehold houses need decoration and renewal of windows too! And door entry system if you choose to have one.



    Plus you have all the hassle of dealing with contractors yourself with freehold which can be a nightmare.....
This discussion has been closed.
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