header-logo header-logo

Highly charged

29 March 2012 / James Driscoll
Issue: 7507 / Categories: Features , Property , Housing
printer mail-detail
istock_000013000299medium_4

James Driscoll follows the battle to make service charges more accountable

Service charges are a constant source of friction between leaseholders and landlords. There is some evidence that not only are these costs increasing, but that more and more leaseholders are questioning the charges and challenging them. A new contribution to the general debate over charges has just been published by the Greater London Authority (GLA). In their report Highly Charged: Residential leasehold service charges in London (GLA, March 2012) the impact of service charges is considered along with a number of recommendations to create what it calls a “re-balance” of the leaseholder/freeholder relationship (see www.london.gov.uk/publication/service-charges-london). 


Flat ownership is widespread and many new housing developments are, or include, blocks of flats sold on long leases. In other cases, former tenants of social landlords own flats having exercised the right to buy. Typically, the owner of the freehold is responsible for the insurance, the repair and maintenance of the building and the upkeep of the common parts. Between them, the leaseholders contribute to the
If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll