Rip Off service charges on leasehold flats

Rip Off service charges on leasehold flats

8:34 AM, 19th September 2013, About 11 years ago 13

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I own 2 leasehold flats in a block of 9, there is also a separate block of 9 housing association flats, and 11 houses (houses only contribute a small figure to the service charge)

My problem is that the yearly service charge is now just under £2,000 pa not including ground rent. I have flats else where and I’m paying approx £1,000 pa service charge on average so I’m getting increasingly frustrated by this £2,000 service charge. When I question the management company they just fob me off with excuses like oh the landscaping budget has gone up or the insurance has gone up blah blah blah!!!! I have had several rows with the management company about the quality of there works so the fact that I also think I’m being ripped off is very frustrating. Getting rid of them would be ideal but I do not have the knowledge, time or patience to contact and then get together with the other residents and form a RTM etc… Is there something a bit easier and quicker I can do to get this management company in check, I’ve heard about Leasehold valuation tribunals but is that the correct route for this problem and can anyone tell me how it works? Rip Off service charges on leasehold flats

Or is there a quick way of just just simply sacking them and getting another management company in, I always thought the management company was employed by the freeholder so would that be a job of the freeholder?

Thanks in advance

Rob.


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Comments

paul cullip

20:57 PM, 21st October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "paul cullip" at "20/10/2013 - 22:37":

Thanks for getting back so quickly Annette. I'll do some homework as to whether the flats are part of a larger development.

What if my wife and I had one in each of our names? Could the freeholders argue that I only had one vote?

kind regards

Paul

Annette Stone

21:17 PM, 21st October 2013, About 11 years ago

One in each name gives you two votes as long as the names are on the land registry title. Let me know how you get on

paul cullip

21:20 PM, 21st October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Annette Stone" at "21/10/2013 - 21:17":

Thanks again Annette.I couldn't push my luck and ask how I find out if the four flats are part of a larger development? Thanks again.

Paul

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