Paying twice for post completion fees!

badgerdog123

Our house wasn't brand new (although it was built about 4 years ago) when we moved in we bought it off the previous owners.

Now 1.5 years down the line the solicitor and Management company are asking for another £444 for Certificate of Compliance + deed of Covenant for their other company even though we paid that for their main company when we moved in 1.5 years ago, saying we have to pay both of them?

I'm very confused and like everyone else we don't have £440 lying around for something like this when it doesn't seem right anyway?

Why should we pay double? What rights do I have to say no?

We also pay £260+ in service fees each year even though they are building houses directly opposite our house and were told we wouldn't pay until they stopped building and the dust is filling our house so we can't open any windows as otherwise our baby would breathe it in! We would love to leave but stuck in a 5 year mortgage and don't have enough saved to move.

RelievedSheff

You need to read very carefully the paperwork you signed when you bought the house.

That will outline what the management company can and can not charge you for. There should be a list of fees for those services.

eddddy

Is your house freehold or leasehold?

Just to double check…

• You're not selling / buying / transferring ownership of the house.

• There is a change of management company (the new company might be connected to the old company, but that isn't really relevant)

If that's correct, there isn't usually need for a new Certificate of Compliance or Deed of Covenant - unless the Deed / Lease you signed when you bought the house specifically says these are required.

In your position, I might ask the management company something like this:

"Can you confirm the legal basis for charging these fees?

I don't recall signing any agreement agreeing to pay fees when there is a change of management company, and I'm not aware of any law that requires me to pay these fees.

If you disagree, please provide details of the agreement I signed and/or details of the relevant law."

badgerdog123

@edddy

It's freehold, we aren't selling, buying or transferring, we bought it 1.5 years ago and they are only now chasing us up for extra fees that are apparently due.

It's not a change in management it is just another company that's part of their management company. They haven't really clarified anything when asked.

Thank you for your advice so far, I will be emailing them and might call them but just don't know what to say