MOB100

Thank you midivydale. You are right. Those who can should attend. Here's the link to apply for places. https://forms.southwark.gov.uk/ShowForm.asp?fm_fid=1355 I think it's a maximum of 2 per applicant.

That's brilliant Asset. a true David vs Goliath tale. An inspiring one too. I really admire people who will stand for what they believe is true. It must have been a difficult episode for you at the time. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. Assest's experience at the LVT (now the First Tier Tribunal) has inspired me. I wonder if there are many members on this board who have gone to the LVT in the past and would be willing to share their own experience: give useful tips, pointers, do's and don'ts, practical advice, etc... Perhaps the topic of a new thread? Any title suggestions? m

Asset Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I haven't read through all the pages here but just > wanted to say that I took Southwark to the LVT > over service charges and now pay none. > The council fought me all the way and were > incredibly obstructive and as a result it was a > tedious and time consuming process but for me had > a good outcome. > during the process all sorts of ridiculous charges > that the council couldn't back up at all were > discovered so it is worth keeping on it and > insisting for clarity and information - not > something they were willing to give.. Hi there Asset, I'm currently preparing a case against Southwark council regarding exorbitant service charges. Could you please tell me more about your experience with the LVT when you took the council there? maybe some do's and don'ts. Did you represent yourself or did you use the services of a solicitor? Many thanks,

Hi Otta, as this is my first service charge, and have nothing to compare it against, I'm really interested in reading ways in which to avoid the novice pitfalls when dealing with the housing unit. I know, this is very vague, apologies. What I would also like to know is if any TRA has managed to get sufficiently organised to speak with one voice, for instance when scrutinising the charging system, allocation of contractors, checking the quality of major works, etc... In other words, can enough pressure be exerted on the Housing Unit to break the cycle of opacity and unaccountability that seems to institutionalised. Really, just getting a debate going i guess, which will hopefully generate some ideas and tools to deal adequately with the officials there. Forgive me again if this is too vague. Best wishes, Mob

Hi Minkey, Thank you, yes. I did read it before posting this one and found it extremely helpful. The purpose of this current thread is to hopefully allow leaseholders to come up with suggestions and ideas based on their experiences. A kind of ongoing forum where everyone will be able to add up to, and also to help galvanise a spirit of cohesion for the different TRA in Southwark. It will also help newcomers to quickly refer to any particular issues they have with Southwark Council Housing unit. Thanks again for your kind advice. x

Hello everyone, I am a new leaseholder of a little flat in Sydenham Hill Estate, on the Forest Hill and Dulwich border. This is also my first post on this forum (forgive me if I'm posting this on the wrong thread). I would like to start a discussion amongst Southwark Council Leaseholders to share our experiences in dealing with southwark council and its extortionate service charges and major works repair bills. Can we learn from each other's experiences? Have leaseholders from other Southwark estates managed to get organised, and collectively and successfully challenged the opaque billing systems of the housing unit? Are there any success stories of Tenants and Leaseholders Associations that have (with or without the help of elected Councillors) successfully made enough noise to get the Council Officials to sit up, listen and act? How was that achieved? I have heard of LAS2000 as a possible helping and guiding hand, but have not been able to find further info on that body. Your experiences, comments, and thoughts are welcome here for all of us to share and build on. After reading an excellent thread entitled: southwark council service charge, I thought this could be useful to us all in the long run. What are you thoughts dear Leaseholders? Very best wishes, Mob100 xx