FirstPort service charge payments following moveout...

[KentTeacher]

I sold my leasehold property, managed by FirstPort, on June 26th.

 

Before my move, I cancelled my monthly direct debits for service charge payments with FirstPort over the phone in preparation for my move.

Over a month later I am still getting letters from them saying I owe the monthly service charge payments.

 

My solicitor says it isn't her problem and my buyer's solicitor is saying it is the responsibility of my buyer to tell FirstPort she has moved in.

FirstPort say it isn't their problem and there isn't anything they can do to help.

 

I received another letter yesterday saying a £60 fee has been added to 'my' account for not paying the monthly service charge and that they will soon pass 'my' account onto their legal team.

 

I wholly appreciate any advice given. 

[slick132]

Hi KT and welcome to CAG

 

You should have a completion statement from your sol'r showing how any balance due to First Point was resolved.

 

Check the statement and see if it addresses Mgt Fees.

 

What was the completion date and what date did you last pay Mgt Fees by DD.

[KentTeacher]

Hi Slick. Thank you so much for getting back to me. 

 

I last paid my direct debit to FirstPort on June 4th and then my buyer refunded, for want of a better word, £16 to cover the money I'd paid out on my direct debit that covered June 26th onwards to the next payment due on July 4th. Hope that makes sense. 

 

My completion date was June 26th. Management fees were agreed to be paid by my buyer from June 26th onwards and a statement was sent to show my side of the payments were up to date. 

Edited August 2, 2020 by KentTeacher

[slick132]

So you paid what you owed on 4th June and the sol'rs agreed your buyer owed you £16 pro-rata for the period post-sale to the next DD date.

 

How are First Point contacting you - by letter to your new address or email.

[KentTeacher]

Yes, exactly that! Thank you for understanding, haha.

 

They are writing to my previous address which is being redirected by Royal Mail as I'm currently using their redirect scheme. 

[slick132]

At the very least, you must write to FP by letter and tell them :-

 

1. This is my new address for future communication

 

2. I owe you nothing as I sold my flat and all fees payable by me were dealt with on a pro-rata basis on completion.

 

3. Anything due to you after my flat was sold on xxdate is payable by the new owner at the relevant address.

 

4. If you continue to make demands for monies I do not owe, I will take advice to stop your harassment.

 

Get a free Certificate of Posting at the PO when you post this letter.

 

Keep us updated.

[KentTeacher]

Thanks for this, Slick. 

 

I will get onto this today and let you know if/when I hear back from them.

 

Enjoy your week.