Bills

So... I got a letter from the freeholder demanding £950 by return of post to pay for two years’ building insurance and ground rent (which she has never asked us to pay before, due to her terrible invoicing skills). She also wants each of us to pay another £250 twice a year to cover maintenance charges and buildings insurance – even though she has invoiced us for the buildings insurance separately. So she wants me to send her £1200 immediately and another £250 in June. Right…

Fortunately where I work has signed up to a scheme where we can get free legal advice. I phoned them last night and they are going to get someone to call me back today to go through all of the issues. I am hoping they will agree to read the lease for me and let me know what I have to pay etc. I don’t object to paying any reasonable charges for buildings insurance and maintenance, but I can’t be expected to send her £1200 at no notice and I would query her ability to suddenly levy a new increased charge – and I certainly object to being double charged for things! One of my neighbours has gone mad about it, but I have suggested they wait until I get some legal advice before doing anything. My plan is to try and make sure I am clear on the legal position and then go back with some reasonable suggestions on how to proceed. Perhaps bizarrely, I am actually pleased she is finally taking an interest and might finally carry out some maintenance and replace the fences but just think she is going about it in the wrong way and has managed to over-complicate things.

I may have to move someone in to meet the costs of these new bills, of course. Maybe. That’s all I’m saying...