Lease/property management issues.

Paulh57

We own our flat, in a block of 18. we live on the second floor (the top floor, though that may be irrelevant)
Over the years we have had many issues with our Management company and Landlords. 
being charged for work we think is unnecesary etc. They are very difficult to get a straight answer from, and whenever we call the office, (They only take calls between 9 am and 1pm)
you can guarantee the person we need is not available.) They will rarely if ever return a call. I myself have been waiting for 8 days now for a returned call, after several emails and two calls to a receptionist.
I could list our issues but It would be a long long post.
Anyway, heres the one Im asking about. 

During the storm (Jocelyn) in January, two fence panels blew down, and a post was snapped from the fence at the rear of the flats. As the panels were lying on the road, and the post was hanging over the footpath, I myself removed that panels from the road, and made the post safe. 
I then reported the damage to our management company. after two or three calls to find out when the repair would be carried out, I was told that it would be carried out as soon as possible. (It still has not been done) almost 8 weeks, but meanwhile the fence had been made safe, I have since received an email, after enquiries, that there will be a charge of £75 plus vat for sending someone to make the site safe. WORK I DID MYSELF!!
I have asked for a copy of the receipt fro this work, but as yet have had no reply.
Am I correct in thinking refusal to comply with this request is a criminal offence, or have I misread the GOV.UK section I looked at.
Also, what action can I take regarding this charge. is it fraudulent?

Thanks in advance.

eskbanker

Paulh57 said:

Am I correct in thinking refusal to comply with this request is a criminal offence, or have I misread the GOV.UK section I looked at.

Sounds unlikely, but what specifically are you looking at on gov.uk?

NameUnavailable

Surely the £75 + VAT charge is against the total service charge for the block?

The freeholder has to make receipts available for inspection but I think that's after the annual accounts have been completed. To fail to do so is a criminal offence but good luck trying to do anything about that! The Police won't be interested so you'd have to start a private prosecution which will cost you a fortune.

From the management co's point of view they are responsible for the works so whilst you say you made everything safe, I guess they need to cover their backsides.

subjecttocontract

If I remember correctly, the management company are required to allow you to attend their offices, by prior arrangement, where you are entitled to view the accounts & receipts applicable to the service charges, annually.
Why you think this would be a worthwhile exercise and what you hope to gain from it for a charge of £5 per property (£75 + vat/ 18= £5) is a mystery for me.

They are in business to make a profit. Irrespective of the work you have done they will have sent someone out incurring time & cost and that needs to be paid for. They will have a minimum charge, they can't avoid charging vat.
That's the way the world works.