any experience of leasehold properties and management teams?

[Sandra6]

Hope nobody minds me asking here (just ignore the post if you do) but you've been helpful in the past.
I own a flat, it's leasehold, we're trying to sell it. We have an offer on the table but the survey has highlighted need for rendering and roof repairs to be done.
According to the lease we have a 60(theirs) - 40 responsibility for external and structural repairs.
I've tried contacting the property management team 3 times by email and they've not responded. When I've called the office they've told me the chap is not available and to email. Grrr.
The previous team were much more helpful but they changed company without telling us about 2 years ago.
Strictly speaking we owe 7 years back rent to them but they've never asked for it - can we refuse to pay do you suppose?
As for the work -is it more productive to instruct somebody to do it and then bill them? And any clues to what rendering costs?
tia

 

[Archie_tect]

Just because the survey says something doesn't mean it's needed... the buyer will have to wait until you have agreement from the leasehold company responsible for the 60%. If you proceed without agreement you may be landed with the full cost, unless it's minimal. Have you spoken to your flat's neighbours to get a concerted joint approach since they presumably would need to contribute too.
Our first house apparently needed a damp proof course to be fitted to the outside walls to stop damp penetration from outside and they tried to withhold £500... until I pointed out it had a lead dpc and they were cavity walls.

 

[Sandra6]

Why would a flat have to be in a block?
This is above a bank. It's a detached building - no neighbours.
Whose accounts do I need a set of? You're confusing me now!
I'm pretty sure the work does need doing - the rear wall has always been damp and the plaster is shot. The guy who viewed today thinks it's to do with a drain pipe and a leak (which is something I thought many years ago but never investigated)
We've needed repairs twice in the past the first time I got someone in, paid them and sent the bill to the property guys who sent me a cheque to cover 60% of the cost.
The second time they just sent the workmen in, they did the work and the property team sucked up the cost. But that was the last team,
The new ones aren't so great.

 

[ianrauk]

You owe 7 years rent?
What is the legality of that if they decide to want it all paid up?

 

[Doseone]

TBH Sandra if the buyer gets wind of how much hassle it takes to get anything done to the property there is a chance they may walk away.

 

[Sandra6]

Doseone - we lost one buyer and I suspect it was for that reason.
I've just had a reply from the management team - the chap has been ill apparently - but he's looking into it now.
Ianrauk - I have no idea what the legality of paying the rent is -statute barred beyond six years?? We do have the means to pay if it comes to it though.
Thanks for your responses.
Just done a second viewing for the prospective buyers, who seem mad keen, but are possibly a little clueless. I've been here before, I'm not holding my breath. As a fall back my son is renting the place.

 

[Pale Rider]

If your prospective buyers want to press ahead, great, but if they employ a competent solicitor the wrinkles with the management company may be revealed.

It would be worth getting everything on an even keel before you market the property again.

As a more experienced buyer, I would be looking carefully for possible leasehold/management issues, and would be very drawn to a property where there were none.

 

[Sandra6]

Well, with hindsight, I wouldn't touch the place with a barge pole, but I don't really want to impress that on the buyer!

 

[Pale Rider]

To answer your leasehold rent question.

Usually, the number of years outstanding is capped, often at six.

In other words, you can only be asked for six years rent, no matter if the arrears is seven or 20 years.

But unlike statute barred, the debt is not extinguished, so you will always be liable for the six years until you pay it.