Posted by StefanN on July 14, 2007, 10:18 am

Hello everybody, I have been paying service charges at BW for more then 10 years now. It was rising in moderation over the years which is clear to me. But I would like to look more on the last 2 years since there is a trend which needs to be clearified. I take 2005 as the reference year. 1H 2005 X 2H 2005 X 1H 2006 X + 12,7% 2H 2006 X - 6,3% (Sundelta refund) 1H 2007 X + 40,7% 2H 2007 X + 76% !!! In other words: SC wentup by ~ 6% 2005->2006. It went up by 76% 2H 2005-> 2H 2007. To be honest I find this unacceptable. I know that there are endless discussions about lifts, roofs and water pipes. I'm rather scared stiff that these horrendous costs will be the default in the coming years. Is anybody out there who could possibly show a way how we can get back to X from 2005? Can a director confirm that X will be the targeted figure for the coming years and not the current one? Also, if we accept the 76% now then this is it I believe. Then the SC from 2007 will be the new X and we possibly get another 76% percent increase in the coming future. Should we make an application to the Leasehold Valuation tribunal like mentioned in the R&R bill? Could we just pay X from 2005 instead of the astronomic figure from the bill and see what happens? Any suggestions are highly apreciated. Stefan PS: my flat is in the wheelhouse but leaking roofs or other unexpected repairs can hit any block at BW in the future.

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