Land <span title="maintenance...unreasonable?!?">maintenance...unreasonabl...</span>

Question

My fiance and I have found a hosue in Northern Ireland we really want to buy, which is surrounded by a bit of land. Only some of the land belongs to us, the rest belongs to some company, not the builder. The builder assures us no-one will ever be able to build there, and says that any new developments being built now legally must have 10% green area (I think) which is owner by a company that we must pay a maintenence fee every year to. He says it will be around about £200-300 a year!! This is such a lot, and we just know they will only cut it once or twice a year. We cannot buy the land, which gives us no choice. Can these fees go up over the years? Has anyone had any experience with these companies?

Any experiences or answers would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes they can put the grond maintenence up you are better freehould

Answer 2

This is a bit like the old chief rents.A builder buys land to build on giving the land owner he bought it off a nice little sweetener.in the deeds of each house he erects,he puts a clause,stating the the house owner/buyer will pay a fee to the ex land owner in perpetuity.This is something similar,you should have tried to force the issue during purchase,by saying you have no desire to rent the land,and watching his face for the reaction,why would you rent adjacent land unless you had a use for it ? You have a solicitor,use him,if it is illegal to build there ,how has this house been built,is it legally registered as a safe bet ?--If so ,then others can build,i would be very wary of the undoubted Irish charm.Very thorough research is needed at the town records office and building and planning office check everything for the correct certification and permits,including --sewage-,water-electric supplies etc.Make sure you are not dependant on any other person for the continuation of these services--ie--cable and pipework runs crossing other peoples land.GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

Answer 3

Why are you actually paying maintainance fees and what are they actually for? What is included in your contract regarding the fees? Have a look at the conveyancey deeds and see if there is any statement in that regarding the particulars of you paying these fees. Have a good look at the deeds via your local Land Registry Office and especially look out for easements which is rights to go upon your land and maintain services(electricity,water,sewage,etc). If you find no joy with them or any statute that is stated in your contract , then i would go to the other land owner and see what it is that you are actually paying for and see whether they have a contract stating that. Also look at the deeds for their parcel of land to see who has the rights governing the ground control and maintainance of that peice of land. Im sorry this isnt much to go on , but contact the conveyancer if you have any further problems as they should have stated all this before you exchanged any contracts. best of luck...