Flat Owners Beware!

Maintenance charges can sometimes be a contentious issue for flat owners, particularly where the Landlord or Managing Agents are remote from the property and the level of service they provide is lacking in comparison with the cost charged.

This situation can be exacerbated where maintenance work is left to accumulate, leaving tenants with a substantial repair bill for works carried out all at once.

Help is now at hands for tenants who find themselves in this unfortunate position because Landlords are now required to consider the likely financial impact when deciding if works in one contract or phased over a period of time.  Whilst this does not mean tenants can insist service charges are phased in to spread the cost of major works over a period of time it does mean that Landlords have to be aware of and take into account the likely financial impact and whether the work should be spread.

Whilst this is potentially good news for the tenants, it is another complication to what is already a complex area of law.  Pengillys have prepared a helpful checklist explaining what a service charge is, when consultation is required and what the penalties are for failing to comply with the consultation requirements, together with the time limits for making service charge demands.

Follow this link to read the checklist and if you are a tenant who is still experiencing difficulty please contact us for further advice.