The devil is in the detail

The Complainant (the potential buyer) was initially shown around the property (a flat) by the Seller following the Agent failing to attend the appointment. Shortly after, she made an offer via the Agent which was acceptable to the Seller and the sale was agreed. Two days later the Complainant attended an appointment with her mortgage advisor to assess her finances where the subject matter of potential ground rent, service and maintenance charges was raised. The Complainant showed the mortgage advisor the sales particulars and then telephoned the Agent to confirm that the particulars where correct insofar as they stated no ongoing ground rent, service or maintenance charges were payable. The Agent confirmed that there was no requirement to pay the said costs at this time and the Complainant proceeded with her mortgage application. Two months later, towards the end of the transaction, the housing association who managed the building in which the property was situated, wrote to the Complainant stating that as a potential lessee, she would be responsible for paying the service charges that were due (an estimated annual charge of £1,000). Checking with her solicitor who had just received the lease agreement, it became apparent that the housing…

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