Home Ownership Service - Servces and Communal Repairs

Leasehold ownership is simply a long tenancy, the right to occupation and use of the flat for along period – the 'term' of the lease. The ownership of the flat usually relates to everything within the four walls, including floorboards, and plaster to walls or ceilings, but does not usually include the external or structural walls. The structure of the building and the land it stands on belongs to the landlord (the Council).

What is a Lease?

A lease is a private contract between the leaseholder and the landlord (the Council). The lease sets out the contractual obligations of the two parties, what the leaseholder has contracted to do and what the landlord (the Council) is bound to do.

Repairs and Maintenance Obligations

The Council is responsible for:

Communal Areas

Communal staircase or corridors
Lifts
Communal gardens and pathways

Structural and Exterior Repairs

Foundations to the building
External walls
Roof
Window frames
External doors and frames
Service pipes and ducts

The leaseholder will contribute a share of the costs incurred for this work.

The Leaseholder is responsible for:

The floor surface including floorboards within the dwelling
Wall plaster and plasterboards
Ceiling plaster and plasterboards
Glass to windows within the dwelling
Internal non structural walls
Plumbing and wiring within the dwelling