How do I dispute leasehold charges (Countrywide Property Management-bunch of cowboys)

[Sarah Lou 80]

We moved in toour new house about 3 months ago but we feel we've been misled with regards to our garage. We bought the house (freehold) however the garage is leasehold due to it being separate to the house and located beneath a coach style flat around the side. We knew this but were told the leasehold amount would be £86 every 6 months. We were annoyed but loved the house and were already really far into what was a stressful move (for many other reasons).

Anyway, we were told near to the end that the leasehold amount is actually double what we thought. We've paid some of it and the solicitors kept a retainer back from the sellers to cover outstanding charges.

We had a letter today saying that they've just updated their 2012 (yes -2012!) accounts snd there's a deficit of £115. I'm not so much worried about this as the old owners will have to cover it and I think they had a large enough retainer for this as we already knew the management company were behind on their accounts. However, there will possibly be a deficit for 2013 and 2014. Again, they will have to cover this.

The thing is, we also received a breakdown of what we pay for. we are paying an extortionate amount to cover the upkeep and maintenance of the blocks of flats on the estate. Most of the stuff is relating to the flats. There are some charges for the outside areas, so I guess we are expected to pay for the grass areas to be cut and the cobblestones out the front to be fixed as apparently the council don't do this. But I see there was repair work to 3 flats in 2012. I know the onus is on us to find out about this but we feel we were misled by the sellers, estate agents and the management company and by the time we got go the point of finding out the relevant info, we were so far down the line that we felt suck between a rock and a hard place.

I've read articles about the government trying to crack down on these management companies charging too much but I don't know where to go from here. I could do with out this as about to have another LO and we had a ridiculous amount of stress over 6 months leading up to moving.

Also, I looked on rightmove at houses in our street that were selling and they advertised the charges for leasehold garages as a third less than what we are paying. How does that work?!!

My oh is going to call the property management manager on Monday and I guess I need to speak to our solicitor again about getting these deficit charges paid for by the old owners. The lady at the management company is new so hopefully she will listen but not sure if she'll be able or willing to do anything. I've thought about getting in touch with our local MP as well?

Any advice would be so so gratefully received!

Thanks for reading!

 

[Mummy Bean]

My suggestions would be:
- Do you have copies of what the seller provided your solicitor in relation to the enquires that were made in relation to the garage - if so and in them it states the charges are X I would use that as a starting point to fight your case with the management company.
-Secondly maybe find out who the freeholder is of the garage and see if any way you can buy the freehold or see if they would be willing to lease it directly to you.
- or make a claim against the solicitor PI cover if it shows that they did not do enough searches/ enquires in time.
- finally maybe write to the neighbours and ask what their situation is - but often 1 block can be managed by different companies.

Unfortunately for you countywide are well know for being massive cocks.
Also many lease agreements have a clause in that means they can be amended when they are sold.

Sorry not great help but I know of few people who have bought investments and been caught in similar situations.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[Sarah Lou 80]

My suggestions would be:
- Do you have copies of what the seller provided your solicitor in relation to the enquires that were made in relation to the garage - if so and in them it states the charges are X I would use that as a starting point to fight your case with the management company.
-Secondly maybe find out who the freeholder is of the garage and see if any way you can buy the freehold or see if they would be willing to lease it directly to you.
- or make a claim against the solicitor PI cover if it shows that they did not do enough searches/ enquires in time.
- finally maybe write to the neighbours and ask what their situation is - but often 1 block can be managed by different companies.

Unfortunately for you countywide are well know for being massive cocks.
Also many lease agreements have a clause in that means they can be amended when they are sold.

Sorry not great help but I know of few people who have bought investments and been caught in similar situations.

Hope you get it sorted.

Thank you! No, it is helpful and I appreciate your reply. Just need to get the energy to get on and do something about it now!