Collecting Ground Rent

cazcl

Can anyone help?

I collect ground rent (for an agent) for mine and two adjoining properties.

Now the invoice, as always, states "Liability for Ground Rent runs with the property irrespective of individual ownership - payment is applied first to any arrears in order of priority".

The invoice for the three properties is only, believe it or not, £6.30 which I pay then collect from my neighbours.

You wouldn't believe the hassle I get trying to collect the £2.10 from one neighbour - unbelieveable.

My question is can I do anything about being in charge of collecting the ground rent?

Silly I know but it does get to me when I have to call and call and call for £2.10. All I get is, I'll pop round when I get change, mum's out I'll tell her though, just going out shopping I'll drop it off on way back.

Thanks in advance for any help.

poppysarah

Ask for ten years worth at once.


And do you get paid for collecting it? Or is it tied to your house?

cazcl

Hi there

I don't get paid for collecting it. Started as soon as I moved in 8 years ago. Do you know how I find out if it's tied in with the house?

poppysarah

cazcl wrote: »

Hi there

I don't get paid for collecting it. Started as soon as I moved in 8 years ago. Do you know how I find out if it's tied in with the house?

Stop collecting the other people's and see what happens.

What does your deed say?

SquatNow

Sounds like he'll be liable for theirs if they don't pay it.

I go with the "get 10 years in advance".

Especially good if the agency actually ACCPET it as they can't RAISE it after they've accepted payment.

devils_advocate

Is the hassle worth £2.10? If not, pay it yourself and then tell the neighbour you've paid it on their behalf.

SquatNow

Can they pay you in beer.

Have a BBQ next weekend... you'll pay the ground rent if they bring the wine and food.

nelly_2

christ sake is it worth 6 quid?

ground rent is ridiculous!

doelani

Mine is tied in for myself and 5 other house, total is £3.40 for all 6 houses every six months and I just pay it. Not worth the hassle of going and asking for it. I never have asked any of my neighbours for this money and one is an old git who I hardly speak to after many rows.

If your really wanted to get everyone to pay their own you would probally need a solicitor to get your deeds and arrange to get them changed, probally cost a fortune and not worth the hassle.

Old_Git

nelly wrote: »

christ sake is it worth 6 quid?

ground rent is ridiculous!

my last house had ground rent off £4 .It wasnt worth paying ,but it had to be paid to a solicitor every year . Every house in the area was paying the same amount so it made it worthwhile collecting it .

tbs624

cazcl wrote: »

Hi there

I don't get paid for collecting it. Started as soon as I moved in 8 years ago. Do you know how I find out if it's tied in with the house?

Get a copy of your deeds from the Land Registry - or look back at your papers from your own house purchase. If the responsibility is mentioned in the deeds ( as it was for a house I had) then your solicitor should have highlighted that to you.

Why should you pay for them? Yes, it's a small amount but in that case they shouldn't mind paying what they are legally obliged to pay.

You could just try writing to the FH and say enclosed is mine, the others wont pay and see what happens

Alternatively , draft a brief and friendly note to the neighbours asking them to bring their x years debt to you up to date. You could tell your neighbours that if and when they sell they will need to show that their GR payments are up to date, and they won't be able to do that if the receipt is only issued to you because you've paid it out.;) Copy of receipt only available to them if they cough up!! You wouldn't choose to help them with their newspaper bill or pay a bit of their council tax or gas bill - this is no different. The neighbours are the ones being small-minded here IMO.