Friday, January 09, 2009

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...

11 comments:

f said...

Oh good grief we've got it all wrong.I fear G may be in a hostage situation!! Has anyone seen her recently? Are there any skilled negotiation experts out there? I fear this may take some time......

The Gripes of Wrath said...

Ah, the glorious romance in your closing paragraph fair brings a tear to my eye... Wars have been fought over lesser sentiments *sob*

(You're fooling no-one, by the way... *rolls eyes*)

DAB said...

I'm with GOW on this one.

Let's just gloss over the moving-in stage,dish us the dirt on the wedding! I hear bells..... ;-)

Kahless said...

No comment until an official statement is made regarding G moving in

Anonymous said...

I'm not gonna bite. I am NOT gonna bite.. But you're killing me here! We want the full story! The agonizing nights of trying to decide on whether to ask G to live with you. The nerve wracking moment you popped the question.(or G invited themselves) The frustration over reorganizing the furniture. The joy and comfort of the 1st cozy night somewhere you BOTH call home. Ok. I bit. Happy now??

Anonymous said...

Lemonpillows,
I am on the verge of calling a general strike unless we get the info.

kahless.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you there Kahless! Or a continuous bombardment in the comments section..

Random Reflections said...

FIMG - I can assure you G is alive and well. I deny all suggestion that my delay in replying to commenst was due to losing the cage to which G is stored in. *evil laugh*

Gripes - surely I am fooling myself if no-one else??!

TF - wedding bells *starts to choke*

Kahless - you are so fierce. Your stance is noted and the official side will consider its response.

Lemonpillows - I may need to do some major story-telling to come up with something like that!

Lemonpillows and Kahless - you just chat amongst yourselves there (at least it gives me time to sneak away...)

f said...

you LOST the CAGE? goodness - it's worse than we thought.............

jumpinginpuddles said...

is lost but has read this blog

Random Reflections said...

FIMG - I know it was very careless. It is a small cage though. Have I never mentioned
that G is only 6 inches tall?

JIP - You are probably best off not knowing!