Homeground - Money for old rope

D_P_Dance

I have just been charged £244 by this company for sending photocopies of two documents to my solicitor.  Is it any wonder they are vilified  on Trust Pilot    My ground rent is only £200 pa.  Is there anyone to whom I can complain?f

moneysavinghero

You can complain to Homeground:
https://www.homegroundonline.com/faqs/general/how-do-i-make-a-general-complaint/
Also to the regulator (details also on that link)

Whether you will get what you want is another matter.

eddddy

D_P_Dance said:

I have just been charged £244 by this company for sending photocopies of two documents to my solicitor.  Is it any wonder they are vilified  on Trust Pilot    My ground rent is only £200 pa.  Is there anyone to whom I can complain?f

That £244 sounds like it is an Administration Charge.
See: https://www.lease-advice.org/lease-glossary/administration-charge/

The law says that an Administration Charge must be 'reasonable'. In some previous cases, Tribunals have agreed that £50+vat per hour is a reasonable Admin Charge.

So if it took somebody at Homeground about 4 or 5 hours to deal with the request £244 might be reasonable.  If it took somebody 30 minutes, £40 might be more reasonable.

You would pay the Administration Charge under protest, and then challenge it at a Tribunal.
More info: https://www.lease-advice.org/advice-guide/service-charges-other-issues/#23

moneysavinghero said:

You can complain to Homeground:
https://www.homegroundonline.com/faqs/general/how-do-i-make-a-general-complaint/
Also to the regulator (details also on that link)

Regarding the reference to the regulator in that link - The Property Ombudsman wouldn't deal with Administration Charge challenges. They deal with complaints about things like poor service, rudeness, avoidable delays.   See: https://www.lease-advice.org/article/property-management-redress-schemes-what-leaseholders-need-to-know/)

D_P_Dance

You would pay the Administration Charge under protest, and then challenge it at a Tribunal.

My solicitor paid it without my knowledge. I fear that taking this to a Tribunal would be a waste of time.  At least a can claim it against CGT