Flat's freehold reversioner concocts service charges
I have owned a leasehold apartment and adopted a terrible freeholder with it! The external roof repairs after a leaking roof were done using a shoddy (or non existant) roofer. I was charged for a poor or no repair. The leak never sorted. Complained to freeholder who never did anything about the leak. Lost my tenants (local authority were clients)as a result and property damaged. I arranged a local councillor to mediate with the freeholder and it was agreed that I would arrange roof to be repaired. It took a total of 15 months to sort and eventually I redecorated the whole apartment at a cost of £10K. I have a file full of correspondence including insurance claims which I lodged with the freeholder but the claims were never processed claiming that I had never sent in quotes. One more claim of leaking washing machine too was never processed resulting into fitting a new kitchen as the floor had to be exposed. This new kitchen cost was part of the £10K referred to above.
The property was put on the market as I could no longer afford it to be empty a buyer found. Now almost at a point of exchange. My solicitors letter seeking clearance was replied to after some 4 weeks with a list of charges: All letters read that I wrote were charged at £10, All replies sent to me £20, the meeting with the councillor for landlords breach of duties is charged out at £160, The roofing works that I commissioned which the freeholder agreed to done by a reputable local roofing company ..landlord has billed £260 for "inspection" of works. The total bill came to around £1350! Readers please note that the freeholder has never appointed a Management Company and has managed his properties himself.
I have instructed my lawyer to pay this under protest and reserve the right to have these unfair concocted charges determined by the LVT. My lawyers response was that he was uncertain if these charges and other issues such as the Building Insurance Claim and lost rent can be claimed or the right reserved to claim this following completion. Would the fraternity of this forum kindly help ! I thought it best to sell the lease, reserve the right to have these charges assessed by the LVT to settle the matter. Is this possible after I complete the sale please? Your response will be most appreciated.
The property was put on the market as I could no longer afford it to be empty a buyer found. Now almost at a point of exchange. My solicitors letter seeking clearance was replied to after some 4 weeks with a list of charges: All letters read that I wrote were charged at £10, All replies sent to me £20, the meeting with the councillor for landlords breach of duties is charged out at £160, The roofing works that I commissioned which the freeholder agreed to done by a reputable local roofing company ..landlord has billed £260 for "inspection" of works. The total bill came to around £1350! Readers please note that the freeholder has never appointed a Management Company and has managed his properties himself.
I have instructed my lawyer to pay this under protest and reserve the right to have these unfair concocted charges determined by the LVT. My lawyers response was that he was uncertain if these charges and other issues such as the Building Insurance Claim and lost rent can be claimed or the right reserved to claim this following completion. Would the fraternity of this forum kindly help ! I thought it best to sell the lease, reserve the right to have these charges assessed by the LVT to settle the matter. Is this possible after I complete the sale please? Your response will be most appreciated.
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