kim86
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Posts: 8
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Post by kim86 on Sept 1, 2014 18:39:07 GMT
Hi everyone, me & my partner have reserved a plot on Bradfield Way & are hoping to move in by the end of November. We have a few reservations, one being the annual fee of £150 to maintain the land. The contract (on which we are yet to exchange) states that this fee could change dependant on expenditure & also the management company could look back 3 years & basically bill you for any additional expenditure over the £150 per annum. It feels a little bit like an open cheque book....I just wondered what the residents views were & if you've had any good/bad experiences so far? Many thanks in advance
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Post by Rich on Sept 1, 2014 20:56:06 GMT
Our contract doesn't state anything like that, just that it is subject to review. I wouldn't worry about it too much, the services are heavily subsidised by Harworth and they've not tried to bill anyone extra.
I actually don't think we're getting value for money out of it so far but that's just my opinion. There are weeds and dead plants all the way up Mitchell Way and the contractors Killingley just seem to so the bare minimum.
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kim86
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Posts: 8
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Post by kim86 on Sept 1, 2014 21:27:57 GMT
Hi Rich thanks for the response. We have raised it with Hargreaves & are now awaiting a response from them. It doesn't seem like you get much for your money, £150 per annum does seem quite steep (in addition to council tax!) but I know it's the way a lot of the new build estates are going.
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Post by highonthehill on Sept 2, 2014 11:16:23 GMT
Does this include maintaining the roads until they are adopted? Once adopted, you would expect the overall expenditure to drop.
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Post by p99ull on Sept 2, 2014 13:56:40 GMT
Over time the local roads should be adopted by the council and therefore, I don't think in the long term that the money we are paying will go to the upkeep of our local roads.
I do however believe (but I'm not certain) that the money also pays for the upkeep of the whole of the area right up to the lakes and past the other side. Although we might not get a lot of benefit on the estate, I think the surrounding areas will keep improving.
I know a lot has changed on that land over the past couple of years and it's now a nice area to walk around.
My personal view, is that I can't see the cost going down i'm afraid. However, on the flip side, I don't think it will increase very much.
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kim86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by kim86 on Sept 2, 2014 21:47:40 GMT
Thanks guys. Duncan Armstrong Payne at Hargreaves Estates couldn't answer our questions so he's sent them on to their lawyer. I will keep you posted once we get a reply. I understand the charges help to keep the land attractive & that's definitely welcomed but I think a little more transparency with the expenditure wouldn't go a miss!
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Post by p99ull on Sept 2, 2014 21:56:55 GMT
I'd be interested in the response... Please keep us posted :-)
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Post by nicro on Sept 3, 2014 5:33:11 GMT
I wonder what would happen if I refused to pay ? It's my home so eviction is out of the question so I wonder , I won't but if the cost started to rise a few of us could dispute I suppose then the land wouldn't get looked after but Harworth need it to be for future investment , so interesting
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Post by nicro on Sept 3, 2014 5:35:47 GMT
Thinking about it tho I was told the cost would go down as the amount of people moving in increased to share the cost so if it does rise I may contest it when it's due
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Post by p99ull on Sept 3, 2014 7:14:19 GMT
Hmmm that's an interesting thought... I wonder what would happen if everyone on the estate refused to pay. Like you say, as long as it doesn't jump up I'm ok with... If not we will have to start a revolt :-)
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Post by Rich on Sept 3, 2014 9:56:54 GMT
Well you'd be in breach of contract. Wouldn't think that eviction would be an option but they could take you to court where you wouldn't have a leg to stand on and would then face court fees on top.
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Post by p99ull on Sept 3, 2014 11:29:52 GMT
Good point!
Anyways... We got a rock man on the hillside now, so money well spent in my book. :-)
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kim86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by kim86 on Sept 3, 2014 16:19:34 GMT
In theory you would think the more people that reside there the lower the fee would be but then would there be more grass land etc to maintain as the site gets bigger?
Hargreaves add 10% to the cost of each job carried out & keep it as an admin fee (profit!) so there's no real incentive for them to keep costs down/chose the cheapest labourer.
Anyone that's already a resident, have you seen any kind of breakdown to show the expenditure costs each year?
Also, in response to one of the earlier comments, as far as I'm aware the roads are not passed back to the council as it's private land, they remain the responsibility of Hargreaves estate.
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Post by nicro on Sept 3, 2014 19:10:45 GMT
I had a breakdown at Xmas. But I've got to say your posts are making me chuckle because I'm loving the way you are calling Harworth estates , Hargreaves estates , brilliant .... Sorry , I wouldn't worry too much about the annual fee
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kim86
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by kim86 on Sept 3, 2014 20:01:44 GMT
Haha oops :-) ok, reassuring that you do actually get a breakdown, thank you
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