[Clare Heyes]

You learn something new every day! I have just checked our policy and it is not mentioned but also not excluded so I will submit a claim next time we have an issue.

Thanks.
Clare

[Clare Heyes]

I Clerk 7 different charities (one consisting of 17 linked charities) as a Clerk. Each has a management agreement with me. I think I downloaded the basic agreement from SAM. I do work under my own company but when only dealing with a few charities worked on a self employed basis with no issues.

Clare

[Clare Heyes]

Hi, I had three similar cases where Local Authorities arranged funerals and extended families would not clear the property. In all cases I managed to get emails from family to that effect and then I went ahead and got in property clearance firms. My legal beagle advised this would be sufficient. Not sure if that was a sound advice but did not have any comebacks! I presume your Licence to Occupy contains the following clause as per the AA’s template:- Unless agreed to the contrary in writing with the Charity, you agree that any possessions, chattels or goods which may remain in the accommodation after the date of termination may be disposed of by the Charity. The sale proceeds, if any, received by the Charity for such items, after payment of any outstanding WMC or other liabilities and other expenses (including disposal and/or removal costs) shall be treated as a donation to the Charity.

Clare

[Clare Heyes]

Dear Margaret,

Firstly, can I say I am surprised your insurers entertained such a claim as I have not found this damage to be covered – maybe I should try again! My 24 charities all use Grout Insurance Brokers. I would be interested to hear who you do use at the moment.

Kind regards,
Clare

[Clare Heyes]

Dear Sally,

Sorry to confuse the situation. With regard to “individual utilities”, I have a site with a single communal electricity meter so the residents are all charged a service charge for their electricity but it is just divided up amongst the six of them. It is still a service charge but not covered by Benefits or Universal Credit. However, the electricity used by the lift to the flats or communal lighting is a service charge that is covered by benefits or UC! Obviously with only one meter we need to take a view on this and it is a best guess.

I am absolutely sure that general maintenance is not a service charge but stand to be corrected by the Association if I am wrong.

Kind regards,
Clare

[Clare Heyes]

Dear Sally,

The two maintenance items you mention are not service charges. If you download the specimen budget from the Association you will see these are separate items within the wmc . Service charge is usually things like communal or individual utilities or communal gardening/cleaning/lift servicing/warden costs. General maintenance is not a chargeable service. The basics of service charge is that you must be able to work out what it is from invoices and you can’t make a surplus. You can’t foretell maintenance issues, hence why they are not a service charge.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Clare
Legacy East Almshouse Partnership

[Clare Heyes]

I haven’t even been able to login despite contacting them three times and having been sent multiple temporary passwords. Am at the end of my tether. Wonder if the Association can help at all….

[Clare Heyes]

However, a lot of Almshouses charities don’t have service charges as they are individual units, paying for their own utilities, looking after their own gardens and not having lifts or other communal items that could come under a service charge. I look after 24 charities and about half have no service charges.

[Clare Heyes]

It is all “rental” element. It is because we call it wmc that the numpties don’t understand! If you don’t have a service charge element for heating for example, then 100% is rent.

[Clare Heyes]

HI Elaine,

I agree, this is a nightmare. I have a small charity of 5 almshouses that has had to go through this rigmarole! I downloaded the from from the association and literally write two one sentence documents for the other requirements as we have not had a complaint in 23 years! This new compliance is enough to make you leave the Ombudsman scheme. Sorry to be no help at all.

Clare

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