Is it legal to send a ground rent demand by email only?
I have just incurred admin costs for late payment for ground rent as I deleted the email from the managing agents demanding ground rent by mistake and have forgotten to pay.
I would like to know is it legal for ground rent demands to be sent by email only? What happens if people do not use the Internet or very little. Can I challenge the admin costs which for the extra email they have sent me regarding the unpaid ground rent is a staggering £106.
The ground rent demand is for £125 and they have now added the £106 admin cost to it.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Ray
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Any real repercussions?
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
10:27 AM, 14th August 2015, About 11 years ago
Hi Ray,
This sounds a bit steep!
I would check with the Leasehold Advisory Service >> http://www.lease-advice.org/
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 36
2:41 PM, 14th August 2015, About 11 years ago
It is important you pay the ground rent but write to them and tell them their admin fee is excessive and if they pursue it you will refer the matter to the FTT.
Also request all future demands are sent by post.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 323 - Articles: 1
2:43 PM, 14th August 2015, About 11 years ago
You might find that your ground rent is legally due on fixed date each period and your rent demand email is really just a reminder. What do people think?
£106 late fee does seem steep!
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 1
3:04 PM, 14th August 2015, About 11 years ago
Ground rent is due because the lease says so, I’m afraid. When purchasing the flat you agreed to comply with the lease covenants, including paying ground rent on set dates as long as you own it.
You might, however, can question unreasonable admin fees. Have you tried to talk to them, asking for a breakdown of it? If you always paid on time before they might be prepared to waive it. And perhaps you can ask for bank details and a reference number, and set up a standing order to avoid this happening again.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 109
9:27 PM, 14th August 2015, About 11 years ago
You might ask andy on the link for the case number, then you might cite that as an excuse to reduce it to £25.
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?35969-Reasonable-late-payment-fee-admin-charge&p=282732#post282732
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 167
10:56 AM, 15th August 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Karolina Tolgyesi” at “14/08/2015 – 15:04“:
Hi Karolina.
This isn’t entirely true. There are strict statutory rules about how and when ground rent is demanded. It is not due until it has been properly demanded.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 10
12:27 PM, 15th August 2015, About 11 years ago
Ray – unless they sent you a Notice under Section 166 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 the ground rent is not payable. There is a strict timetable specified in the Section only during which the Notice is valid [not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the rent due date].
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1266 - Articles: 1
9:28 AM, 24th December 2017, About 8 years ago
How did you get on?