ground rent?

[Vics128]

Hi wondered if you could help. Me and my partner live in a flat that is owned by my Aunt. The flat is a house conversion split into 4 properties. All four of the owners own an equal share of the freehold. The lady who owns and lives in the top flat collects the money that we all have to pay. She says the money is for insurance and maintanence. I just think it seems a bit suspect... Admitedly our flat is the largest, we pay �270 half yearly. Two of the other flats pay about �240, and her flat pays �140 (it is the smallest, but still not half the size!) The entrance hall has not been decorated in at least 20 years. The bush outside gets so overgrown that my boyfriend has to chop it back. And the property has not been painted outside for at least 3 years (and we are expected to pay extra when it does get done) We have a flat roof extension on our property that started leaking last year. We asked her if that was covered on the insurance, and she said she could get it fixed if it only needed patching, but if it needed more then we would have to pay extra (surely if it was insured then that would pay for anything?)

Would she be paying for house insurance with the money, or would that be down to each of the owners when they get there mortgages.

Also we dont get receipts for the money and when we asked for a break down she got really annoyed. she did give us something, but it didnt make much sense to us, and was really just a random amount of figures (no insurance names mentioned)

Basically am I just winging about having to pay this money, or does it sound a bit suspect to you... Please help because its due again and I dont no what to do!!!

[woofgang]

If you are paying money for maintenance and insurance, then you are entitled to understand what the money is being spent on. I suspect that she is paying for buildings insurance, not contents and may have a big excess or exclusions to help to keep the cost down. You should deffo be getting a receipt for what you pay. and at minimum an annual report stating what has been spent where. To be fair to this lady, she may be a very unbusiness like soul who took on the job to save paying for a management service...so my advice would be to be gentle and polite (I am sure that you are) but to ask and keep on asking. Could you do it as a group with the co-owners? also do be prepared for her to say something like "well if that's how you feel you can do it yourselves!!"

[Emily Ball]

Presumably the lady who collects this money from you and the other residents has been appointed as agent by your aunt, who must surely be aware of how much is being collected, where the money is being deposited and how it is being used. Perhaps your best bet would be to approach her and mention your concerns in order to clarify the situation. You are surely entitled to a proper receipt for each payment and also to to be informed of exactly what the payments are being used for.

[Vics128]

My Aunt used to just pay it. she didnt really care!! this was when she lived here though, and things were differant. Thanks for all your help everyone!