Not heard from Shenstone properties for ten years, what should I do?

andyfrombristol

I have a 999 year lease, less expired term (just over a hundred years), with Shenstone properties. I have a ground rent of £1.58 per half year which they used to bill me for and I had to send a cheque for. I have not heard from them in ten years or more. When I first bought the house they acted less than honourably, so I don't trust them. What should I do?

fackers_2

Put the money aside until they do eventually come knocking. 

theartfullodger

Get in contact with them, having worked out what you think is the correct bill(s) etc etc.   And prepare for a long-drawn out argument. You need this sorted for when you eventually sell/drop-dead (apologies) change ownership some other way. 

A property company acting less that honourably that you don't trust?  Whoteva next, a PM who lies & lies and many don;t trust?? Surely not.

See..
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02036008

Sg28

andyfrombristol said:

I have a 999 year lease, less expired term (just over a hundred years), with Shenstone properties. I have a ground rent of £1.58 per half year which they used to bill me for and I had to send a cheque for. I have not heard from them in ten years or more. When I first bought the house they acted less than honourably, so I don't trust them. What should I do?

They probably stopped bothering after they realised its costing them 10 times more than you pay to bill you and pay in the cheque. 

eddddy

andyfrombristol said:

I have a 999 year lease, less expired term (just over a hundred years), with Shenstone properties. I have a ground rent of £1.58 per half year which they used to bill me for and I had to send a cheque for. I have not heard from them in ten years or more. When I first bought the house they acted less than honourably, so I don't trust them. What should I do?

If they want to, the landlord/freeholder can decide to bill you for up to the last 6 years. 

Ground rent is only due if/when you get a demand (bill) in the correct format - so if you haven't received a bill, you don't currently owe the money.  So there's nothing you need to do at the moment.

(Unless, for example, you told them a different address to send bills to, and they've been sending bills there, but you've moved away.)



If/when you sell the property, the new owner could get billed for up to 6 years of ground rent - so the new owner might want you to pay them £18.96 - just in case!

Decc66

A wee bit off topic but I thought my fellow Shenstone sufferer's would like to know, they now appear to be accepting Bacs payments!