Service charge statements need ‘more transparency’ says flat owner who compares single page UK statement with lengthy version for overseas flat
- Flat owner calls for more transparency on ‘basic’ service charge statements
- Glenn Seaton is being asked to pay £3,400 a year for his service charge
- Service charge statement on his UK flat is a single page rather than a full report
A flat owner has called for more transparency in service charge statements for leaseholders after being given a ‘basic’ single-page version by his management company.
Glenn Seaton has created a video showing the single typed page of A4 that constituted his service charge statement, saying it lacked details about where the money was being spent.
The footage showed the statement and compared it to a relatively lengthy service charge statement that he is received for his other flat in France.
He currently rents out the flat in Britain, while living in his property in France.
He said: ‘I wanted to show the difference between service charge statements in the UK and what is done in France.
‘The UK version shows me how much I have to pay, which is £3,400 a year. It is very basic. There is stuff that I don’t know about.
‘And then there is what I am sent in France by recorded delivery. I am called to a meeting where all property owners can get together and discuss the budget and other issues.’
The service charge statement for his flat in French is a full report with an invitation to a residents meeting and photos while the statement for his UK flat is just a ‘basic’ single page
He added: ‘Look how amazingly detailed it is. Every single item is included and explained.
‘It also includes the names of homeowners who are behind in their service charge, and it carries through to a detailed budget for the following year.
‘And when there is some maintenance required, they send us photographs. Nothing to hide, everything is accountable there.’
Mr Seaton wrote to his management company at the start of this month and had still not heard from them more than a week later when he raised the issue with us.
He asked about the entry maintenances cost of £38,902, along with general repairs and maintenance of £20,000.
He asked the management company if he could have a copy of the audit and accountancy report to better understand where the money is being spent.
He said: ‘There needs to be better transparency in the service charge invoice.’
Mr Seaton’s block is managed by Remus. The company was contacted about the issues raised by Mr Seaton but it declined to comment.
The flat owner has asked his management company for a copy of the audit and accountancy report to better understand where the money is being spent
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