Area maintenance / service charges conundrum.

ADistressedTenant

Because of my circumstances I am finding it difficult to put food on the table, let alone pay area maintenance / service charges. I am worried what should I do.

Let me explain. I bought a house few years back. When I bought it no one mentioned service charges that comes with it. I was also too naïve to know about it. I bought the lease a few years back and now I am a freeholder.

There is a company that maintain the common area around estate, like cutting grass, pruning hedges etc. I was paying it regularly up till recently when I became unwell and could not work any more. I requested the company to consider my situation and either waiver or reduce these charges. However they refused flatly even after my repeated request. They also mentioned that I am in some kind of contract with them and I can not get out of paying these charges. It is heart breaking for me. When I am struggling to pay utility bills and buying groceries, its very difficult for me to pay these service charges.

I hope I am not alone. There must be other people having similar issue with similar companies. 

Some good advice will be much appreciated. 

Thanks.

eddddy

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

To be honest, if you're not going to be able to pay all your bills - it's usually best to prioritise paying the estate service charges, and put off paying some other bills.

The reason being...

Debt collection costs can probably be added to your service charge bill - such as the cost of solicitors and debt collectors. So a bill for a few hundred pounds can become a few thousand pounds.

(That generally can't happen with other types of bills, unless the companies take you to court.)


If you still don't pay, the company might be able to take possession of your house, and evict you.


Although, if you have a mortgage, often the mortgage company will step in just before the company are due to take possession of your house, and the mortgage company will pay the bills (including the debt collection and solicitors fees), and add it to your mortgage. But that isn't guaranteed. And if it happens, it will be a 'black mark' against your name.

user1977

You are probably better to look elsewhere on this site for money-saving and debt management advice, unless you have any genuine concerns that the charges aren't valid (doesn't sound like you do from what you've said).

RAS

Have you doubled checked your benefit rights. Especially round disability?