Site ground rent

tina23

I have a chalet on a site, which is completely closed at the moment, we are not allowed on site at all. We have just been sent our bill for the ground rent, should we be entitled to a reduction due to the fact even we can not go there and check on our chalet

Galloglass

Is your chalet freehold as some of them are? For example, do you pay council tax on it? If you are freehold, I can't understand why you can't access your own property.

tina23

Yes I pay council tax, but we are not allowed access

Grumpy_chap

I understand the Government advice is that people should not travel to holiday homes as it is deemed non-essential travel, so whether the site is open or not, it looks like you would not really be able to attend at present.

If the bill is for ground rent, then it probably is still payable.  It seems as though that would be the same as having a leasehold holiday home / apartment near the sea - just because no-one is allowed to travel to holiday homes really makes no difference in that case.

If the bill is for service charges, and those services are not being provided, then it is probably reasonable that the charges are waived.  This would be the same as charging for any other service that is not provided, which Martin Lewis covered in his TV programme last night.

If the bill is a pitch fee which includes ground rent, service charges and other costs, that is more complex.  Similarly, if the charge is called ground rent but is actually a service charge (or vice-versa).

Do you know what the position is at the holiday park?  Are they closed but still providing some services internally, e.g. live-in warden (offering some security), grounds maintenance?  OR, have they closed the site fully and sent everyone home on furlough grant?  Assume the holiday park will have claimed any grants they are entitled to for business rates etc.

If you can assess where they are actually at and what they are still providing by way of service, then it is probably worth a phone call to discuss a partial reduction of the fees, but still allow enough that the element of the services that are still being provided are still fairly funded.  It is disappointing not to be able to go to your holiday chalet, but based on the essential travel advice, that may not be possible even if the park was open.  I am sure you will still want the park to provide some basic security and monitoring services etc even though you are not there, so still worth a contribution of some costs.

Galloglass

Ground rent is the charge to the Freeholder to use of his land. So unless you can remove the chalet (as you can with a static) you are stuck with paying it. You should also be aware that failing to meet the covenants within your lease can lead to some nasty fallout with the Freeholder and the possible loss of your chalet (though it would have to be more serious).

Ground rent debt/debt collection is very lucrative for some. Check your title.

tina23

The site are not very helpful, there is a site warden there and a groundsman who is laying foundations and moving the new statics in place. People have asked for a discount as the site has claimed the grants etc for business rates, the owner has said he will not give a discount, but wants us all to pay an extra £100 to give to charity !!
Think everyone is going to have to accept we have to pay, there is going to be a lot of chalets up for sale 

Undervalued

I have replied to a very similar thread as follows (just change caravan (static) to chalet) ! .....

Just at the moment it is irrelevant whether the site is open or closed as you would be breaking the law travelling there!
If what you are paying includes unmetered electricity, gas, water etc then I think it would be reasonable to expect a reduction to allow for the fact you are not using those. However, that said, even in normal times you would be paying for the utilities whether you chose to go or not. Otherwise the site is doing its job in hosting your caravan and it is not their fault you can't go to it.

sharpe106

Different one expecting you to pay extra so he can make a generous charity donation and look good. 

Galloglass

As a matter of interest and since you pay CT, is your chalet leasehold or freehold. Do you own the ground that the chalet sits on?

In most areas, there is no council tax payable but I think Wales may be different.