Leasehold management

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• 1. Statement of intent
• 2. Detail
  • Information to prospective lessees
  • Terms of the Lease
• 3. Key targets / standards

1. Statement of intent

1.1 The Council recognises its responsibilities as a freeholder towards its lessees and shared owners, and wishes to ensure that lessees and shared owners receive standards of service comparable with those enjoyed by secure tenants of the Council.

1.2 The Council will fulfil its obligations under the terms of the lease, and the requirements of the law relating to leasehold management. The Council will also comply with guidance on best practice in managing leasehold property which may be issued by the Government from time to time.

1.3 For the purposes of this policy statement the term "lessee" is used to apply to both leaseholders and shared owners of the Council.

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2. Detail

Information to prospective lessees

2.1 Before completing arrangements for the purchase of leasehold property, prospective lessees will be provided with full and clear information about:

• The details of the property.

• The main features of the lease.

• Arrangements for managing the property.

• Charges payable under the lease.

• The financial and other responsibilities which lessees undertake, immediately and in the future.

2.2 All prospective purchasers will be advised to obtain independent legal advice, and will be urged to pay careful attention to their own legal advisers.

Terms of the Lease

2.3 The terms of the lease have been established in accordance with legislative requirements, and cannot be altered without the express permission of lessees (and their mortgages). Should it be judged necessary to review the terms of the lease, the Council will consult leaseholders.

2.4 The Council will provide a simple summary of the lease to all new lessees.

2.5 The Council will meet its responsibilities as freeholder, which include:

• Repair and maintain the structure and exterior of the flat.

• To provide adequate insurance cover for the structure, common parts and any amenities which are the Council's responsibility.

• To ensure the provision of services to common parts such as lighting, cleaning, grass cutting etc.

2.6 In order to permit greater flexibility in property management, lessees may, with the Council's permission, undertake works to their own flats themselves. Permission will only by withheld where the lessee's proposals do not meet the Council's specification for the works, or where the works will not be completed within the Council's established timetable.

2.7 The Council will adopt clear procedures for consulting lessees about:

• Repair work which will incur costs above the limit prescribed by legislation. This will include the provision of alternative estimates of the costs, before the Council enters into contract for the work. The Council acknowledges that if it does not follow these procedures, its right to recover the cost of the work is limited.

• The extent and costs of any optional services.

• Proposed changes in arrangements for maintenance, management or service provision which would affect lessees.

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3. Key targets / standards

A handbook be issued to each leaseholder available in any language if required.

Date Approved: 18 September 1999
                               23 March 2005

Date amended: February 2004
                              March 2005
                              February 2008