leasehold services

frequently asked questions

1. What dates does the financial year run from and to ?
The financial year starts on the 1st April and concludes at the 31st March the following year.

2. What are estimated service charges ?
At the start of the financial year we will estimate your service charges but base them on the last known actual costs plus an allowance for two years inflation. For example the financial year’s 2005/06 estimates were based on the actual costs of the financial year 2003/04 plus 6%.

3.When will I receive them ?
In March you will receive a summary for the whole year’s estimate plus a notice for the ground rent. An invoice for payment for the first half year’s estimates and the ground rent will be sent to you in April. An invoice for the second half year’s estimates will be sent in October. This invoice will also include an adjustment for the previous year’s actual costs. (See question 7 and 8 for more details in respect of the actual's)

4. When will I have to pay these ?
The first half year’s service charges are due in April and the second half year’s estimates plus the adjustment for the previous year’s actual's are due in October. You can pay your annual service charges in ten monthly installments by direct debit. If you wish to pay this way please contact us and we will send you a form.

5. Does the estimates include ground rent ?
No. The ground rent is a fixed sum of £10 is a one off payment payable 30 days from when you receive the notice.

6. How do I pay the ground rent ?This can be paid on the same invoice as your estimated charges in April.

7. What are actual service charges ?
These are the actual costs for the services you received for the previous financial year. For example the statement of the actual costs sent to leaseholders in September 2004 were for financial year

2003/04. An adjustment is carried out to leaseholder accounts at the same time in September for the difference between what was estimated and what it actually costs. This can be a credit or a debit.

8. When will I have to pay the actual's ?
The adjustment for the actual's as described in question 7 is payable along with the second half year’s estimates in October.

9. Do I have a separate major works account ?
Yes. If you have had major works carried out to your block or estate since the financial year 2004/05. This means your main service charges and major works costs are accounted for on separate accounts. Prior to this date all the costs are still on one account but future major works will be accounted for separately.

10. What is a block charge ?
This is a charge that relates to services received for your block only.

11. What is an estate charge ?
This is a charge that relates to services received for a communal area that is shared by a number of blocks.

12. Can I sub let my flat ?
You do not need permission from us but you must give us your forwarding address. Your tenants must not cause nuisance to their neighbours, if they do action will be taken against you for breach of the lease. If you have a mortgage it is likely that you will have to notify your lender.

13. Can I replace my existing windows ?
Only with permission from us. If you wish to replace your windows you can apply to vary your lease. However every leaseholder in the block must agree to vary the lease for this to happen. If windows are changed without permission then we could ask you to remove them if they do not confirm to the appropriate standard and you would be charged for replacements.

14.How do I get breakdowns of my service charges ?
By contacting us in writing (letter or email) at Maple House or by telephoning 0208 313 3310 , we will send this to you.

15. If I have an issue regarding any service from Broomleigh I receive, how do I raise it ?
By contacting us as in question 14 and we will look into your issue and reply to you.

16. How do I report a communal repair on my block ?
By telephoning our partner contractors. If you live in Bromley, Hayes, Shortlands, Beckenham, Penge, Sydenham, Mottingham and West Wickham you need to telephone Osborne on 0845 0510152 . If you live in Orpington, St Mary Cray, St Pauls Cray, Biggin Hill, Chislehurst, Downe and Petts Wood you should telephone Rydon’s on 01689 874044

17. Why should I pay for bulk rubbish to be collected ?
Because it is a legitimate charge for your block or estate. This is not the removal of rubbish from your bins that the council collect weekly and is paid for within your council tax. This is rubbish that has been dumped in your block or your estate and needs to be removed. If we establish the identity of the culprit who dumped the rubbish, we will endeavour to recharge them in full. If not it will be shared amongst the residents.

18. If I do not agree with my service charges do I have to pay them ?
If there is an element of your service charge you dispute then you should contact us and tell us what the element of the charge is and why you are disputing it. Whilst we are investigating this you must pay the rest of your service charges. We will write back to you with our findings from the dispute. If we uphold your dispute then the charge will be reduced or removed, whatever is appropriate. If we do not uphold it then it will become due for payment. We aim to write to you with an outcome within twenty eight days of you raising the dispute. If we do not uphold your dispute and you are unhappy with this decision you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal for a judgment on this. (See question 19)

20. Where can I obtain independent debt advice ?
The Citizens Advice Bureau can give this. There are offices in Bromley, Orpington and Penge. If you are of pensionable age then Age Concern can give advice. The telephone number for the Bromley Office is 0208 679 8000.

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