Council housing FAQs

• What are rent arrears?

• Do I owe former tenant arrears?

• What should I do if I'm going on holiday?

• What should I do if I start working?

• What should I do if my partner moves in?

• What should I do if one of my children starts working?

• I have been informed by the benefits service of a housing benefit overpayment. What should I do?

• Do I have the Right to Buy?

• How do I apply for the Right to Buy?

• Are there any costs associated with the Right to Buy?

• What happens if I am not happy with the council's valuation of my home?

• Can friends or family members apply for the Right to Buy?

• What happens to my Right to Buy application if I am claiming benefits?

• If I move, do I keep my Right to Buy?

• Can I apply for the Home Buyer's Grant as well as the Right to Buy?

• What should I do if I never see my caretaker and I'm not satisfied with the caretaking service?

• Can adaptations for disabilities be carried out to my property?

• I have a leak from the property above. Who should I inform and who will deal with the problem?

• Can I change the windows in my flat?

• I want to sell my flat. Where do I get information regarding the service charges and possible works?

• Do I need permission to sublet my property?

• How should I report dumped rubbish on my estate?

• How do I report graffiti?

• What payment methods are available to leaseholders?

• What if I can't pay my service charges?

• What is the difference between 'estimated' and 'actual' service charges?

• How are 'estimated' service charges calculated?

• How are final accounts calculated and why are they issued in September when the financial year ends on 31 March?

• What do I need to do when I receive the final accounts?

• What is a Section 20B Notice and what should I do if I receive one?

• Why should I have to pay a final accounts adjustment for a period when I was not the leaseholder?

• What does 'estate services' include and how is it calculated?

• Why am I charged a 'management fee' and what does it cover?

• Why am I charged for abandoned vehicles, graffiti removal and pest control if these services were not carried out to my block?

• Why should I pay for graffiti removal if the council say they will remove it for free?

• Why should I have to pay towards a stairwell or lift if I live on the ground floor and do not use them?

• What should I do if I am not happy with the cleaning or gardening service?

• Why is my service charge different to that of my neighbour when we live in the same block?

• How can I get a statement of my service charge account?

• I am getting behind with my service charge payments. What will Ealing Council do?

• If my service charge account is in credit, can I have a refund?

• What is covered by the building insurance?

• Am I subsidising other leaseholders by paying more building insurance for a similar sized property?

• Why do I have to pay for a building insurance certificate?

• How is the sum insured determined?

• Why is vandalism not covered?

• Why have I been sent a consultation notice?

• Will I be required to pay for the works?

• Isn't the cost of this work covered by my service charges?

• How does Ealing Council decide what work needs to be carried out?

• How is my estimate for major works calculated?

• Are there any limitations?

• Can I opt out of having major works done?

• When will I be billed for the work?

• How does Ealing Council expect me to pay this invoice?

• Can I nominate a contractor to do this work?

• The proposed works include windows. What happens if I have already changed the windows to my property?

• Will my front entrance door be replaced?

• How will Ealing Council ensure that work is carried out to a high standard?

• How do I know the way work has been procured represents best value for leaseholders?

• Will the work be guaranteed?

• Can I obtain a copy of guarantees for work carried out to my block/estate?

• If work starts and I am not happy with how things are progressing, what should I do?

• What is the 'contingency sum' for?

• What is covered by 'preliminaries'?

• What is the administration charge for?

• What is the professional fee for?

• Can I apply to purchase the freehold?

• How can I find out more or make observations?

• How can I find out more about my rights as a leaseholder?

Categories

• Caretaking services
• Leaseholders - council housing

• Your tenancy
• Rents