Hi
Wondered if someone could help with some advice please.
My long leasehold flat has been rented for a few years. By oversight prior permission was not sought from freeholder in advance. The lease says that prior permission must be sought and a fee of £45 paid for each sublet. To rectify the situation (after threats from freeholder) I sent a cheque for £45 +VAT for each past sublet (x6). They responded saying the fee was now £175 per sublet. I declined to pay, arguing that the charge was not reasonable. This was about 1 year ago. I have since made another sublet and sent them a cheque for £45 +VAT for the new one (as per lease). They have replied that the fee is now £230 +VAT per letting. They are also claiming £800 legal costs which I have refused to pay.
The lease states the fee payable is : “£45.00 (or such higher sum as may from time to time be reasonably stipulated by the Landlord)”. (Lease date is 2014).
What would a reasonable fee be? How can this be established - or will I have to contest it at Tribunal?
Many thanks in advance.
Wondered if someone could help with some advice please.
My long leasehold flat has been rented for a few years. By oversight prior permission was not sought from freeholder in advance. The lease says that prior permission must be sought and a fee of £45 paid for each sublet. To rectify the situation (after threats from freeholder) I sent a cheque for £45 +VAT for each past sublet (x6). They responded saying the fee was now £175 per sublet. I declined to pay, arguing that the charge was not reasonable. This was about 1 year ago. I have since made another sublet and sent them a cheque for £45 +VAT for the new one (as per lease). They have replied that the fee is now £230 +VAT per letting. They are also claiming £800 legal costs which I have refused to pay.
The lease states the fee payable is : “£45.00 (or such higher sum as may from time to time be reasonably stipulated by the Landlord)”. (Lease date is 2014).
What would a reasonable fee be? How can this be established - or will I have to contest it at Tribunal?
Many thanks in advance.
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