Timeshare contracts

DPL64

Hello. 
I have a timeshare contract with "Seasons Holidays" which was inherited when my father passed away. The period of timeshare has ended but until my ownership is sold I am liable to annual maintenance fees. Seasons tell me that what my father bought is a true asset which they are trying to sell on my behalf. I am increasingly starting to doubt that and until I get out of my contract I will just be paying maintenance fees indefinitely. Can anyone tell me of any timeshare help groups or recommended legal firms I could contact.
Thanks you
Don.

DE_612183

Has the estate been sorted - this seems to imply that the debts for the estate have not been settled as the maintenance fees will carry on being incurred until the asset passes to another owner.

If by succession you are the new owner then fees will be incurred - you could ask seasons to hold on to the fees and let them accumulate and then be deducted from any future sale.

Do seasons set the price to sell the timeshare or do you?

DPL64

DE_612183 said:

Has the estate been sorted - this seems to imply that the debts for the estate have not been settled as the maintenance fees will carry on being incurred until the asset passes to another owner.

If by succession you are the new owner then fees will be incurred - you could ask seasons to hold on to the fees and let them accumulate and then be deducted from any future sale.

Do seasons set the price to sell the timeshare or do you?

Thanks. Seasons have stated that fees could be deducted from the final sale figure, (the estimated value, that they set, would only cover a couple of years fees). These annual fees have only been payable since the timeshare period, 15 years, ended. I think my father paid a premium for them not to be charged during that time. I have spoken to a solicitor who advises that Seasons miss sold this contract and that its likely there is no "asset" and I will be liable to annual fees until I get out of contract with them. They have offered to do that for a fixed fee. I'd would welcome further advice before acting. (The firms Trustpilot score wasn't encouraging). Thanks again.

NoodleDoodleMan

Maybe best to find one of these No Win-No Fees legal outfits ? 

Keep_pedalling

Where is the time share? Did the contract contain a perpetuity clause? 

user1977

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Maybe best to find one of these No Win-No Fees legal outfits?

I doubt anybody's likely to offer it for this sort of matter.

TELLIT01

The OP is justified in their concerns about Seasons selling the timeshare.  They have absolutely no reason to put any effort into selling it as they have a guaranteed income stream from the maintanance charge.  They will almost certainly have their own stock to sell and will obviously prioritise that.

Does the OP have Legal Assistance on their home insurance.  If so, that may be the first place to look for help.

Alan_Bowen

Without any form of endorsement, have a look at Sarah Waddington Solicitors, they specialise is timeshare disputes and the reviews appear to be good. They appear to know quite a lot of negative information about Seasons timeshares!

DPL64

Thank you all. I have since spoken to TCA, Timeshare Consumer Association, for advice. Its now clear i have to seek legal assistance to exit my contract. I have made contact with one of the firms they recommend who have lawyers in Spain and UK. I am considering their help for a full relinquishment of contract and a possible claim. 

TELLIT01

Even with solicitors you need to be clear on what charges there will be.

Alan_Bowen

No, because I have never bought a timeshare. I have however worked in the travel industry for nearly 40 years and appeared on a number of consumer TV programmes warning people of the dangers of approaching, or being approached by timeshare resellers who always want money up front and in 99.9% of cases do absolutely nothing to help but spin a yarn for a period of time until they disappear.

I mentioned the firm of solicitors above because they are legitimate solicitors, not 'advisors' or recruiters, I have no links to them whatsoever but they do seem to know what they are doing.