the leasehold services
leasehold services
The leasehold services are the legal and practical support for you, as a leaseholder, to help manage your property. The services include dealing with repairs, managing your service charges and putting in place plans to make your home more secure.
The Leasehold Service Startup is the government-funded advice service for leaseholders, and offers a range of information and resources to support you. Their website is full of useful information and advice, or you can contact them on their telephone help line.
Ground rent and service charges: If your lease is for a flat or house with common parts, you’ll pay ground rent to the freeholder to cover the land and buildings. You can ask your solicitor to check your lease to find out what the ground rent is, and how much it’s likely to increase. You may also be asked to pay a service charge to cover repairs, cleaning and maintenance of your property. Some service charges are a set amount, but others can vary from year to year.
the leasehold services
You can challenge your service charge if you think it’s excessive. LEASE has lots of information about how to do this, including the first tier tribunal process. You can also find advice on your rights as a leaseholder through the Citizens Advice Bureau or a local councillor.
Resolving disputes over charges, works or services: If you’re not happy with your service charge or the work being done on your property, you should tell your freeholder as soon as possible. They will then have to consult you on any works that need to be carried out.
Consultation for major works: If you own a leasehold property, your freeholder must consult with you and any tenants association if they have one before carrying out any works that might affect the whole estate. This gives you and the other leaseholders more power to say whether or not the works are appropriate.
The leasehold service team can give you information and support in all aspects of your leasehold property, from registering your property to buying a new lease or extending your current one. We’ll also put you in touch with a professional adviser who can help you deal with the issues that are important to you, such as dealing with repairs or arranging a sale of your property.
Changing your property: You might be able to change the shape, size or location of your property by applying for planning permission. Some types of change require the landlord’s permission, but you can usually get the permission on your own if you can prove it would cause no harm.
Selling your property: If you want to sell your home, you must register the change of ownership with Bury Council within 21 days. It’s important to get a conveyancing solicitor to help you. This will include checking your lease agreement to see if it allows you to sell your property without paying any charges, or if you need to pay some or all of the fees associated with selling.
