Leaseholders - council housing FAQs

• 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?

  Our aim is for the estimated costs to match the actual costs as closely as possible. This helps leaseholders to budget effectively, and also helps your landlord to recover funds and budget for future expenditure. 

  In order to match the estimated costs as closely as possible to the actual costs, we carry out an analysis of the actual costs for the past four years for each service charge heading: 'Routine Repairs', 'Estate Services', 'Lighting' etc. 

  We increase these costs by inflation, using published indices, so that the costs are set to an equivalent level for the new financial year and are more realistic. Often we will base the new estimate on an average amount across the last four years. Sometimes, however, we will need to take other factors into consideration, such as where there was an unusually high cost of repairs one year, or where a gardening contract was not previously in place.

• 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

• Service charges
• Insurance

• Major works