Landlord bullying - service charge

[groundhogs]

Can anyone please help?

I took on a rental 8 months ago, no mention of service charge was ever made, and now LL has tried to tell me that I have £170 to pay to bring it up to date, and £21 odd per month thereafter.

Now, in all instances I've ever heard of where service charge applies, it's included in the rent, as the bill can never be reassigned to anyone other than the owner of the house.

I spoke to a solicitor informally (he's not legal aid, and pricey, but kindly gave me his opinion) he said Service charge is not a utility (which is what LL is saying) He says that as it's not specifically mentioned on the contract that it's not applicable.

I also spoke to the letting agent of a house 2 doors down from me, and HE said the same. He also said that as the original 6m of the agreement is up, that she can't increase the rent, or alter the contract.

I was feeling all strong and confident after talking to the above, but now she's just sent me a text to say the opposite, and now she's now threatening to serve me notice, all for £21 a month.

Can anyone put my mind at rest?

OldLady - A water leak would be an example of an emergency which could justify the landlord needing immediate access without help from the emergency services. It doesn't have to be a safety issue, just something which threatens to cause serious damage to the property.

Groundhogs - If you have the opportunity to see the CAB sooner I would take it. You want to make sure the whole thing is over as soon as you walk out of the door. The last thing you want is her trying to sue you for alleged damage to the property, loss of rental income or whatever. Not that it would be a good idea for her to try any of those things but she sounds the type who might.

If it was rented through an agency, not privately write a full history of this and leave it with them. Just might be nice to screw her over at the end.