My leasehold flat is rented to tenants and the landlord's agents, a company with a reputation for charging high fees, is demanding a registration fee of £120 from me. This is not for permission, just for registration; my lease says that a "reasonable" registration fee is payable.

I have offered them £40+VAT for this registration as I had understood that this is what LVTs / First Tiers have determined as reasonable for this kind of clerical work. They have refused this sum and requests from others to have similar cases resolved through First Tier have been met with a response that LVTs / First Tier do not have jurisdiction over registration fees.

Any suggestions on how I can get this fee reduced?

Thanks

Hi SiFg

Welcome to CAG

Please be patient I am sure the caggers will be along to give you some good advice.

does it say who may charge the fee? If it doesnt say the agents can then they cant charge what they want but should refer the matter back to LL

Sorry - commented on the wrong thread.

Thanks Ericsbrother. My lease says that the landlord can charge a reasonable registration fee for the notice to underlet. It does not mention agents.

Then you speak to LL and do not take any notice of the agents. If LL says speak to agents say no, it is not a matter they can delegate and you wont do so.

Then you speak to LL and do not take any notice of the agents. If LL says speak to agents say no, it is not a matter they can delegate and you wont do so.

That sounds good but is it likely / possible that the LL will respond by stating that their fees are higher because, for example, they have to divert someone's attention to my case rather than having their contracted agents to do the job? Are the agents required to give me the Freeholder's (the Landlord's) contact details?

What exactly does the relevant lease clause say?

You should have LL details anyway with lease.

Sorry for the delay in replying.

My lease states:

To give the Landlord and the Management Company notice of every dealing with or underletting or transmission of the legal estate in the demised premises including all mortgages or legal charges of the demised premises within 21 days after the same shall occur and pay to each of the landlord and the management company such reasonable registration fees (including VAT) as the landlord and the management company respectively shall from time to time determine.

I have a vague thought that the freehold was sold to a different company after we signed the lease - I will check my files to confirm this.

I'm sure that the MA are interpreting this to their advantage so all you can do is argue about what is reasonable.

What has freehold anything to do with sub-letting charge?

Clause mentions Landlord (poss Leaseholder) and management co, not freeholder.

The Landlord is named in the lease - it is the company that built the units.

Is there any definition of reasonable that can be applied in this case? The definitions that I am aware of include "without excessive cost" which could not be applied in this case.