FAQS
For enquiries please call
01323 894400
01323 894400
Below are a series of frequently asked questions that should help you find the solution you are looking for. If your question is not covered here, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The amount we collect in terms of Service Charge is based on an estimated figure for the year, as actual figures are not known at the start of the year. It is unlikely that we will spend the exact the estimated figure. Therefore, any over or under spend, is re-credited or debited accordingly in the form of an End of Year adjustment.
Often the Lease does not specify whether or not this must be carried out. In this case, we will consider as to whether an end of year adjustment is necessary.
The Freeholder of the communal grounds, i.e. roads, car parks or landscaped areas, has appointed Charles Cox to maintain these areas for you. During the sale of your freehold property, you would have been supplied with a Transfer (or similar) document which outlines your responsibility towards these areas.
At the end of each financial year, a summary of expenditure is prepared by an independent accountant or Charles Cox, depending on the size and setup of the development. This will show income and expenditure for your development as a whole during the previous period. Statements are then circulated to all leaseholders.
This can happen when a sale has taken place and your assignment has not been registered with us as required by your Lease. You should contact your solicitor immediately to ensure that the position is addressed. Until we receive the relevant documentation, we will be unable to change the name, although you will still be responsible for adhering to the Lease, which includes paying for your charges.
Unfortunately, you are liable for making Service Charge payments whether you occupy the property or not. If you have just purchased the property, your solicitor should have made arrangements to cover this amount – this is normally done by retaining a percentage of the money due upon completion. You should check with your solicitor that this has been done.
If your account is settled by Standing Order, the invoice will be for your information only.
However, we will still issue Service Charges and Ground Rent demands in line with the Lease.
We realise that personal circumstances can change, and all too often, property owners may find that they are having great difficulty meeting their Service Charge payments as set out in the Lease. Initially, we would advise you to contact us to discuss payment options. You can phone, email or write to us.
All funds collected by Charles Cox are held in separate client accounts for each development.
All interest received and bank charges paid are the responsibility of the development. Charles Cox Ltd do not receive any interest on any funds held in trust.
You can pay your Service Charge and ground rents in several ways. Either directly into the client account for your block or by cheque. Please call 01323 894400 if you have any questions.
Service Charges are collected as outlined in your lease, or similar. Depending on certain circumstances, you may be able to pay by monthly instalments. Please contact us for further details on 01323 894400.
Please contact us on 01323 894400, and we will try to address your query. However, we may ask you to put it in writing so that we can give it our full attention.
During normal office hours, (09.00 to 5.30 pm), please contact us on 01323 894400 to report any problems.
Outside of office hours, please call our emergency out of hours line on 07877 669085.
Please note, the owner of the flat will be liable for charges as a result of inappropriate use of the emergency number.
Firstly, we would recommend that you contact the occupant of the flat above. This is often the quickest way of dealing with the problem. However, if you cannot get hold of the occupant, please contact us on 01323 894400 and we will try to contact them for you.
Please submit all comments and suggestions on our contact form or email info@charlescox.co.uk
We insure the whole building, but not your belongings and home contents. This is in line with the terms of your Lease. If you are required to provide your mortgage company with a copy of the building’s insurance, please contact us on 01323 894400. For supplying this information, we normally make an administration charge of £25 plus VAT.
We would recommend that you arrange your own contents insurance.
It is important that the name of the account holder reflects the owner of the property. We would ask that any changes you wish to make are supported by the relevant legal documentation, i.e a marriage certificate, deed poll certificate or death certificate. If the registered property is in a company name, then the certificate showing the change of name should be supplied. Regrettably, copy certificates cannot be returned.
Yes. If your property is sub-let to your tenant and you wish the correspondence to be sent to your main residence, or perhaps a Letting Agent, it is essential that you advise us in writing of the address for which you would like correspondence to be sent. Please ensure you act promptly in informing us of any changes to your main residence.
If you intend to sell or remortgage your property, it is imperative that you or your solicitor advise us in writing well in advance. If you are selling and require a Management Pack or similar to be provided, there will be an additional charge for this. This charge is payable directly by the leaseholder.
In the first instance, we suggest you contact your local Environmental Health Department, which has the necessary powers to deal with this and whose involvement usually provides a speedy resolution.
Usually, leasehold properties require consent to sub-let. Your exact obligations will be set out in your Lease. In the first instance, you should contact us on 01323 894400 to obtain the relevant information to gain permission. There may be an administration charge associated.
Our friendly lettings team will be happy to discuss all the options available to you, whether we help with just finding a tenant if you prefer to manage your own maintenance, or if you would prefer the full management service. Please contact James Foster, Lettings Manager on 01323 894400 to discuss this further.
In the first instance, you should contact us on 01323 894400 to find out what you need to do. Most leases and transfers include Clauses or covenants that prevent alterations to either the plan or the elevations of the properties without prior consent. You should obtain consent and keep this for your records so that you may produce it in the event of a sale. Please also note that some alterations may also require planning permission or building regulations.
Generally, leases ban most types of pets. However, some leases allow pets once consent has been obtained in advance. You should contact us on 01323 894400 for further information regarding your development.
Following the RICS and ARMA (Association of Residential Managing Agents) guidelines, we take all complaints about our service very seriously and will respond to any complaint promptly. All complaints must be submitted in writing or by email.
