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Leaseholders

What is Leasehold?

Leasehold ownership of a flat is simply a long tenancy, the right to occupation and use of the flat for a long period - the 'term' of the lease. The flat can be bought and sold during that term. The ownership of that flat usually relates to everything within the four walls of the flat, including floorboards and plaster to walls and ceiling, but does not usually include the external or structural walls. The structure and common parts of the building and the land it stands on are owned by the Association (East Dorset Housing Association).

What is a Lease?

A lease is a contract between the leaseholder and the Association. It is difficult to change the conditions of the lease after you buy, so a Leaseholder needs to make sure that the services provided for and the obligations imposed in the lease are those that they want or can accept. The lease is a legal document and any changes that need to be made should be made through a Solicitor.

Who is responsible for repairs?

East Dorset Housing Assocition are responsible for:

Communal Areas

communal staircase or corridor
lifts
communal gardens and pathways

Structural and Exterior Repairs

foundations to the building
external walls
roof
window frames
service pipes and ducts

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

The Leaseholder is responsible for:

The floor surface including floorboard within the dwelling
Wall plaster and plasterboards
Ceiling plaster and plasterboards
Glass to winfows within the swelling
Internal non structural walls
Plumbing and wiring within the dwelling
Front door and internal doors
The leaseholder will be responsible for all costs for individual repair charges raised on their property.
For a full list outlining responsibilities please refer to our Leaseholders Handbook.

Leaseholders Annual Service Charge Statement

Each year an annual Leasehold Service Charges Statement, accompanied by explanatory notes, are sent to each Leaseholder between June and September and will cover the period 1st April - 31st March.

The statement will set out:

Your groud rent for the year.
An estimated of repairs and maintenance works for the year.
Service charge for the year.
Building insurance for the year.
Any charges and adjustments from last year.
Less any credit or debit balance on your account (money you have overpaid/underpaid).

The statement will show:

All the charges that were due in the last financial year (up to 31st March).
A list of the repair and improvement jobs for which you are being charged.
The payement you hav made since the beginning of the last financial year.
The current balance on your account.

What are Service Charges?

Service charges are payments by the leaseholder to the Association for all the services the Association provides. These will include:

Property

Communal Electricity
Communal Cleaning
Communal Door Entry Systems
Communal TV Aerials
Building Insurance

Estate

Grounds Maintenance
Estate Management
Wheelie Bins
Street Lighting
Administration

Ground Rent

An annual charge, normally £10 a year. This is payable in addition to any service charges and the amount demanded raised at the same time as the service charge.

Service charges can vary from year to year and all costs must be met by the leaseholders. Service Charges are requested six monthly in April (covering the period April - September) and in October (covering the period October - March).

Sub-letting

A Leaseholder may sub-let their home. The Leaseholder is responsible for the conduct of their tenants(s) and will be invoiced and held responsible for all Service Charges and other costs involved in enforcing the conditions of the lease.

The Leaseholder is a contract between East Dorset Housing Association and the Leaseholder.

Further Information

The Leasehold Advisory Service (www.lease-advice.org) provides free advice on the law affecting residential long leasehold property and Commonhold.

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