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Shared ownership HA introducing new service charges 26 years into the lease
anyusernameleft
Posts: 78 Forumite
My shared ownership HA (Southern) are introducing a new service charges 26 years into the lease in spite of the fact that it's a repairing lease and I have full responsibility for all repairs and they haven't ever done any work on it.
The only charges I have ever paid apart from the rent have been for the Buildings Insurance.
This year they introduced a service charge in spite of the fact that I'm not part of an estate and they don't provide me with any services as there are no communal areas.
Now I've had a letter saying they've run up bills which I have to pay "my share" of in spite of the fact that it's nothing to do with me or my house which isn't part of any communal area and which I have full liability of repairing and upkeeping.
They won't say what these repairs are or what they cost only that I have to pay "my share" of £60,000.00 for something that is nothing to do with my property.
I don't know what to do.
I have already disputed the new service charge as they don't provide me with any services.
They are getting back to me about my "stage 2 complaint" sometime next month.
The only charges I have ever paid apart from the rent have been for the Buildings Insurance.
This year they introduced a service charge in spite of the fact that I'm not part of an estate and they don't provide me with any services as there are no communal areas.
Now I've had a letter saying they've run up bills which I have to pay "my share" of in spite of the fact that it's nothing to do with me or my house which isn't part of any communal area and which I have full liability of repairing and upkeeping.
They won't say what these repairs are or what they cost only that I have to pay "my share" of £60,000.00 for something that is nothing to do with my property.
I don't know what to do.
I have already disputed the new service charge as they don't provide me with any services.
They are getting back to me about my "stage 2 complaint" sometime next month.
0
Comments
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In simple terms, your lease will say what costs you must contribute towards.
For example, your lease might say that you have to contribute towards the maintenance of footpaths, private roads, parking areas, green areas, play areas, etc - even if you don't use those areas.
(The HA's argument would be that you should have read the lease before you bought the property, and if you didn't like the terms, you shouldn't have bought it.)
But it's possible that the HA is charging you for something that isn't mentioned in your lease, and/or the charges are not reasonable for some other reason - in which case you can challenge it.anyusernameleft said:
They won't say what these repairs are or what they cost...
What exactly does the bill say? For example, is it an estimated service charge for 2025/26 that is payable in advance?
I'm surprised that they won't provide a breakdown of the £60,000. If you haven't done so already, ask in writing for a breakdown of the £60,000.
1
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