Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you about your new build estate/maintenance fees

55 replies

Conflictedovernewbuild · 16/01/2023 19:51

We are planning to move from our current money pit home to a new build.

Been reading up on annual estate maintenance fees, the development we are looking at charges this through an ‘estate rentcharge’ which appears to give
the consumer no protection or recourse in case of price hikes or unsatisfactory work. If a resident defaults the company it appears can essentially revert your freehold to a leasehold, known as ‘fleecehold’. Seems some management companies have been selling their contracts to investment companies presumably to profiteer.

We were really invested in this move and honestly feel like walking away because of this.

For those of you in new builds, has this affected you? I’d really like some balance rather than reading horror stories online. We are looking at a David Wilson Homes development in the South.

OP posts:
Original poster
Conflictedovernewbuild · 16/01/2023 20:09

Thanks for responses.

Build is in phase one so no other residents to ask.

This becoming our new money pit is what concerns me, plus implications if we were to sell down the line. I don’t begrudge paying maintenance but it’s the way they administer it that concerns me.

OP posts:
Rebel2023 · 16/01/2023 20:04

I'm in an apartment. Management company are utterly shite and seem to be able to charge what they want
They use expensive contractors rather than local businesses which would cut costs massively
My fees are £150pm (my mortgage is only £385.....)

Duchess379 · 16/01/2023 20:03

I live in a new build in West Sussex, been here for 9 yrs. We have a maintenance company, First Port that looks after the estate, cutting grass, keeping trees in order, street lighting etc & it costs about £350 per year. Hasn't gone up much since I moved in back in 2013. I used to live in a 1930s style detached & it was always bloody cold - this house is cozy & warm. Definitely recommend it!!

GreenEmeraldSea · 16/01/2023 20:02

The fees are a different type of money pit. But sure, go ahead if that's what you want

amanda171 · 16/01/2023 20:00

We've been in ours 8 years. It's £122.00 per year and hasn't gone up in all the time we've been here. Also, the Management company is really good getting things sorted out when we contact them. We bought with Bellway, don't know if that makes a difference or not. If the estate has been there a while, I recommend asking some residents if it's increased since they have been there. The reason I say this, is at the other end of town, Crest Nicholson and their management company, the fees have rapidly increased each year since they started the development, so look very carefully at both the builder and who they use for management of their spaces. Google is definitely your friend here, so research well.

Swipe left for the next trending thread