is there Govt £s help for OAP friends service charges?

[HP Mum]

An OAP friend is struggling to pay his service charges.

He owns a long lease flat. The freeholders are a huge well-known entity.

 

He is billed quarterly for internal and external service charges, both current and potential future expenditures.

 

I've had a look at the charges.  I'm not sure there's much I can do to query the amounts on his behalf ??  Although I wish I could as the charges are exorbitant. 

As an example -  the block has been charged 3.5k for cleaning over the last year. In this same period the freeholders renovated one of their own flats and the stairs carpet and hall was covered in plastic.   Thus there was no stairs to hoover.  During lockdowns the cleaner just did not come - yet there was no reduction in the annual cleaning bill!!

There's no lift, no concierge, no gardener or caretaker - just one contract cleaner who (in normal circumstances) comes once a week.  There's an alarm and the contractor tests it once a week. 

His service charges are pretty much 1k/month.

If he doesn't pay the charges the freeholder takes legal action - threatening repossession.   

 

He isn't earning. Has a small monthly pension.

He has a small mortgage and the lender has stepped in 3 times to cover the service charges.   But this is untenable.

 

it's made me question how many other elderly leaseholders are living with the threat of repossession just because they can't afford to pay the service charges.... 

 

Is there any Govt scheme or Pension attached scheme that helps pay service charges?

 

 

[stu007]

Hi

 

Is it a Retirement Leashold or a Normal Leasehold?

 

If it is Retirement Leasehold Accommodation see this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/leasehold-schemes-for-the-elderly-management-fee-limit

 

 

[HP Mum]

It's just a normal leasehold.

An old listed building converted into flats by the freeholders.

Thank you

[HP Mum]

Just a thought from reading around - does anyone know anything about "Pension Credit" ??

[snowdragon]

Hi, I get pension credit, it tops up any shortfall,       you are probably best t go to entitled to or the Gov web site to apply. 

There is information on both those sites that should help

 

Sandy xx

[HP Mum]

Thank you. 

I will