SERVICE CHARGE

UPDATE! A group got together and pulled a list of questions together for Neil at Peverel.  Alas, they've not responded so we'll need to look at other options once we ask again... 

The annual service charge bills have arrived and, given its our first, its raised a lot of questions.  Several of us are getting together to articulate our queries etc and we'll be taking that forward in due time - feedback here as and when.

In the meantime, Neil has said he's very happy to meet anybody to talk you through it all.  Here's what he said:

"...I have no problem with assisting residents by explaining the charges if you could just furnish me with the following:

                a. preferred time of appointment

                b. Areas of concern or points, of discussion

                c. name and apartment number ( so as I can have their accounts to hand if required )"

Comments

[Heidi]

Does anyone have a note of when our windows were last cleaned? Mine are filthy and, as I don't have a balcony, there's not a lot I can do about it. I believe that our service contract states that they should be cleaned 4 times/year?

[Gavster]

Well just to let you know that Neil of Peverel infamy has still not responded to our polite email! He's emailed once to apologise saying he'd do it that day but nada! Fortunately I was locking my bike in Covent Garden when a chugger (charity mugger) came up, danced and asked me to sign up to give Notting Hill a monthly contribution - complete with DD form. So, poor soul stood whilst I vented and I can thoroughly recommend it. Not Peverel but frankly I was on a role and playing.

[Sabine]

I just spoke to Peveral again who clearly couldn't give a feck. I cannot believe my service charge has jumped to £101.11 a month for a studio flat and they couldn't even be arsed to change the lightbulbs in the communal areas...(trying not to cry with frustration)....

[House Manager]

Same comments down south on service charges, with ridiculously large amounts being budgeted for. Estates Managers really have no clue as to what their House Managers are spending, or even doing. A lot of the developments down here have not updated the information in their offices for many years. This is obvious when you do relief work for the so called "resident" managers, who take great delight in swanning off when they please without answering telephones or leaving important information to relief managers. I know one manager that watches films during the afternoon, has done so for the last 6 years. Does anyone up the ladder know what goes on?
There are some very good managers but the majority
put very little work in to their developments.

[Sabine]

My service charge is usually £73.23, then this month I was charged this as well as £101.11 and an extra £15.00 administration cost to change it to direct debit. A few questions:

Why has my service increased by nearly £30?

Why are Peveral charging me £15 to switch payment methods, this is despite my request to charge them £15 admin costs to respond with my direct debit details?

Why have the two costs come out of my bank at the same time? Their explanation for this is that they are switching their payment date to the beginning of the month, rather than the end. I would have presumed the next charge to be the beginning of February, if the last charge was the end of December then, not the beginning of January?

If anyone can shed any light on this I would be very grateful.

I'd also like to ask Peveral if we can get a Christmas tree next year, or even a plant now. This might prevent people from dumping their rubbish in our entrance hall.