I have a flat that I pay £500 a year to a maintenance company for to do things like window cleaning, car park maintenance, communal areas etc. This isn't a choice, it's what I inherited when I bought it.
Ever since I bought it 10 years ago they have been abysmal - and the grounds and communal areas are in a worst state than ever. The maintenance company are total crooks and do nothing at all, they send very limited and generic details out about what our money is spent on. I spent a year taking photos every week of the areas they should have been maintaining to show there was no improvement.
Anyway last year I refused to pay the annual maintenance fee (they expect it in one lump sum and won't do monthly payments). I said I have evidence they do naff all and until they start actually making improvements - such as weeding, repairs, cleaning, etc - I'll be withholding payment.
They sued me, and it went to specialist court that deals with property disputes. Both parties agreed that, because this court was several hours drive away, we were happy to submit our evidence and allow them to make a decision based on that, without having to be physically present.
Anyway, last month we got the judgement back and it was decided in my favour, I didn't have to pay a penny - it was completely damning against the maintenance company. It detailed how they provided no clear evidence of maintenance works, the very few invoices they did provide had very little information (sometimes not even making it clear who they were even from), no evidence of buildings insurance (which is part of the charge), that they weren't complying with the law on various counts and shockingly that invoices from "companies" who'd allegedly done work were, when looking on Companies House, registered at the same address as the maintenance company owner! It also detailed specifically how we'd been overcharged for certain things like account preparation and general management fees.
They had 28 days to appeal, which they haven't done. Was pretty happy - until today when I got an email from the maintenance company, who basically claim that they think I still owe the money and have basically said "you've paid it in previous years so you should pay it again". They claim the judge "acknowledged the money was still due" which is total BS. They ignored completely the fact they have overcharged for various things and that they haven't provided evidence of work in many cases. In short - they are still demanding the money.
Other than telling them to piss off (or something less crass), what can I do? Surely this isn't allowed - they lost, legally (and morally) I don't owe anything. I am writing to all other owners within the building with a copy of the judgement in the hope we will find another company to take over in the meantime.