James Walker: Some home truths about property woes
At Resolver, I’ve seen an increase in complaints about newbuild properties, from cracks and mould to more serious structural issues. Some of these problems can go on for years and have caused significant distress. According to the Homeowners Alliance, over a third of people who bought a new property reported more than ten problems to the builder. That’s far too high a figure as far as I’m concerned.
I’m also hearing much more about service charges and dodgy freeholders. Service charges – fees you pay collectively with other tenants or residents for services like cleaning or gardening – can be a nightmare. I’ve heard horror stories of some leaseholders or tenants being hit with huge increases in service charges by property companies. A few even moved because of them.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIf you’ve got a problem with a service charge hike, have a meeting with all your neighbours. With enough support you may be able to form a management association to take over the management of the property, even if you’re a council or housing association tenant. A word of warning though – this can sometimes result in quite a bit of stress. Neighbours don’t always agree or get on, so make sure you’ve got the time and temperament to deal with the work involved.
Homeowners should always invest in a comprehensive building insurance policy. One of the biggest problems I see with building insurance claims involves “wear and tear” – where insurers argue the damage is not weather-related but as a result of maintenance. You can avoid this problem by checking in with the insurer every year just to make sure you’re meeting the policy terms and conditions – it’ll save you a packet.
Landlord and tenant disputes are among the most common problems I’m asked to help with. To be honest, I could write a whole article around this subject. In simple terms, if you’re unhappy, write a letter to your landlord setting out the dispute. Speak to your local council if you’re not sure about your rights. If that doesn’t work, the council should have details of the next stage, after which there’s a free housing ombudsman service too.
Finally, there’s the mortgage itself. With interest rate rises on the horizon, it’s likely that thousands – even millions – of people will find that they are struggling to make ends meet. If you’re worried about affordability, it’s really important you talk to the mortgage company now. They can talk through your options but as always, it pays to be realistic. Your mortgage company might give you a month or two payment break on payments or refund some charges or interest, but they won’t do this indefinitely.
Watch out for “advice” on the internet about non-enforceability of mortgage contracts and other seemingly easy ways to get out of paying the mortgage. They usually quote obscure bits of legalese or fake testimonials – and they’re all rubbish.
Any lender that rushes to repossess after you’ve asked for help is in trouble – but it’s best to avoid that situation wherever possible if you can – and if they ignore you, Resolver can help you get some justice.
James Walker is the founder of online complaint-resolution service Resolver.co.uk