Management company appoints director without consent?
2 years ago | 8 comments
Can I challenge a Section 20 overspend?
12:02 AM, 12th August 2024, 2 years ago
4
Hi, I am a portfolio landlord with a leasehold flat in a social housing block of 6. I am the only leaseholder in that block. Works have been completed on 10 separate blocks.
A Section 20 notice was issued in 2020 for major works (roof and cladding) with a per flat contribution of £22.2k.
The works were awarded to the social housing providers’ in-house maintenance arm. The works were completed in June 2023 costing £33.8k (£11.6k or 52% overspend).
I was first made aware of an overspend in August 2024 with an invoice payable in 30 days (but an offer to discuss payment terms for those with hardship). The flat is worth £90k with no material increase in value since the works. The overspend looks to be general when comparing the line items to original estimate but fire stopping appears to have been missed costing £5.5k.
The initial S20 notice appears to be followed correctly so I’m more focused on the overspend. Can anyone advise whether:
1) Is the total spend of £34,000 reasonable given the flat’s value of £90,000?
2) The fire stopping looks out of original scope. Receipt of the invoice was the first indication of this. Do I have any grounds to challenge?
3) I have been charged £2.1k for the balcony balustrade. I’m ground floor so don’t have one. The social landlord claims this is part of the overall integrity of the building (similar to a roof replacement) but I feel this is Health and Safety and flat specific. Do I have any grounds to challenge?
I meet with their management next week so any advice, general or specific, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John
Tags:
balcony balustrade charges, challenging Section 20 costs, challenging service charges, fire stopping costs, landlord Section 20 advice, leasehold flat overspend, leasehold maintenance fees, leaseholder rights, major works charges, property overspend issues, Section 20 Notice, Section 20 overspend dispute, social housing block repairs
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1446 - Articles: 1
11:12 AM, 12th August 2024, About 2 years ago
1) Is the total spend of £34,000 reasonable given the flat’s value of £90,000?
Sadly nothing to do with the flat’s market value.
2) The fire stopping looks out of original scope. Receipt of the invoice was the first indication of this. Do I have any grounds to challenge?
New legislation came into force with the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022
How do the required works and £figures in 2020 compare to the required works and £figures in 2022?
3) I have been charged £2.1k for the balcony balustrade. I’m ground floor so don’t have one. The social landlord claims this is part of the overall integrity of the building (similar to a roof replacement) but I feel this is Health and Safety and flat specific.
What does your Lease state about your responsibility for payments for parts of the building?
Might be worth contacting the Leasehold Advisory Service https://www.leaseholdadvicecentre.co.uk/service-charges
Member Since December 2020 - Comments: 3
2:50 PM, 12th August 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 12/08/2024 – 11:12
Thanks Judith. In relation to point 2 the fire stopping was not identified in the original s20 notice. The first I knew about the works was when I received a bill some 13 months later.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 193
3:58 PM, 12th August 2024, About 2 years ago
After Genfell the fire service and government have been working on New fire safety regulations.
Fire doors, escape routes, escape windows, Fire stops in blocks of flats.
Emergency lighting and fire alarm systems.
As a Paramedic I watched a whole block of over 55,s apartments go up in smoke due to fire/smoke spreading along the roof.
In Crewe
Member Since December 2020 - Comments: 3
5:55 PM, 12th August 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by DAMIEN RAFFERTY at 12/08/2024 – 15:58
Hi, thanks for the reply.
I’m not looking to challenge the need for fire stopping but their communication of the works.
Even though they are emergency works do they still need to follow the s20 process?
If so, as the fire stopping was not identified during the original consultation did it require a new s20 consultation or at least some form of communication?
It seems unreasonable to me that I am liable for a £5.5k spend that I knew nothing about and presented 12 months after the event.
Cheers
John