MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
I live in a shared ownership property and over the past 8 yes the housing association have not maintained the grounds properly. This year has been the worst yet with the garden only cut 3 times the last been July.
Can I legally withhold the service charge or can I take them to court for compensation?
I wouldn't mind but my young daughter has now had two summer holidays where she had no outside play space as the local parks were closed and they don't respond to my complaints or resolve the issue.
Any suggestions? Don't suggest frozen sausages!!!
Depends on your contract but I very much doubt it - and why not just cut it yourself?
I tried it for lack of maintenance - not painting wooden windows that then went rotten. I ended up pleading with the Judge who found in favour of the freeholder and awarded costs against me. I was within a nats wisker of a CCJ!
Try here ,, https://www.lease-advice.org/ also leashold tribunal a government agency, also the managemeant committee of your bock as for receipts for gardening, they have to provide them
Withoding the service charge will achieve little as it will still need to be paid, and they may well serve a forefiture of lease notice on you.
Unless there is something saying how frequently they have to cut the grass (unlikely) then it will be difficult. Even if there is - you may find there is a force majure clause and they can claim Corona staff shortages are the issue.
As TJ suggests buying a lawnmower will be a lot cheaper than a court case. However - in my experience kids love playing in long grass too.
You, and all the other tennants may be entitled to some level of cost reduction - our factor charges on actual costs plus their management fee - if there was less grounds maintenance work, presumably the actual costs changed and you get a discount/rebate.
