Q. Why do I pay a service charge?
The service charges you pay are to cover your share of the cost of managing, repairing, insuring, and providing services to the block or estate in which you live. Services will vary from scheme to scheme but include cleaning, communal energy, lift maintenance, door entry systems, and vehicle access gates.
Q. What does the Management Charge I pay cover?
All shared owners and leaseholders pay management charges which cover the cost of a wide range of management duties. These include administering and collecting service charges, dealing with resident’s enquiries, insurance administration, organizing major works, and preparing and sending out rent/service charge statements at agreed intervals. The management fee does not cover addition services such as dealing with staircasings and assignments or subletting requests.
Q. What should I do if I miss a rent / service charge payment?
If a payment is missed for whatever reason please contact the leasehold department asap. We can either arrange for the missing payment to be added to your next direct debit or arrange a card / cheque payment. If you are in financial difficulty we will try and come to an arrangement with you to clear the arrears. Please do not ignore the arrear – the sooner you contact us the better.
Q. The bins have not been emptied, What has gone wrong?
Refuse collection is actually the responsibility of the council rather than IVHA as this service is paid for with your council tax not your service charge. If your bin has not been emptied you can report this to your council and they will give you a log number for your call and a date they can attend to empty the bins.
Manchester – 0161 234 5004
Salford – 0161 909 6500
Bolton – 01204 336632
Trafford – 0161 912 2000 option 2
Q. What should I do with unwanted furniture?
Any large items such as furniture needs to be taken to the tip, it should not be left in the bin store or communal areas. If you cannot take it to the tip the local council usually offers a collection service.
Q. I am having problems with neighbours, what should I do?
In the first instance we would suggest talking to your neighbour as they may not be aware their actions are having a negative affect on you. If this does not work please contact us and we will investigate the problem under our anti social behaviour policy & procedure.
Q. Can I make improvements to my home?
Please put all requests in writing to us before carrying out any alterations or additions. Although we will not unreasonably withhold our permission we may ask for full details of the proposed works and a guarantee the work will be undertaken by a reputable company / contractor. Please do not undertake any work before permission has been granted.
Q. Can I purchase a further share in my home?
Yes. If you are a shared owner you can choose to purchase further equity or purchase the remaining equity in your home. This is called staircasing. The price of the further share will be at current market value and this must be determined by an independent RICS qualified surveyor appointed by ourselves. Please
click here for further information.
Q. How do I go about selling (assigning) my home?
Before you instruct an estate agent please contact the leasehold department. Although you are free to sell your property there are certain procedures you need to follow and we must approve the potential purchaser. As with staircasing the sale price must be set by an independent RICS qualified surveyor. Please
click here for more information.
Q. How do I make suggestions?
We are open to any suggestions concerning our service delivery, operations, organisation, working practices, or anything you may wish to comment on. Please do not hesitate to contact us in writing, by phone, by e mail, on the scheme forum, or in person. We welcome all suggestions and will try to act on them wherever possible.
Q. How do I get involved with a residents association?
By contacting us we can check if there is already a group set up in your scheme or area. If not we can offer you assistance and support in forming a group.
Q. Can I sub-let my home?
This depends on the terms of your lease but it is unlikely you will be able to sub-let unless you have purchased the full equity in your home. If you wish to sub-let please contact us as there is certain criteria you need to fulfill. You should also check the terms of your mortgage as your lender may also need to be informed. Please
click here for more information.