Frequently Asked Questions

A. A service charge covers the cost of running the common parts. These include hallways, gardens, roofs, drains, lifts, carpets and other facilities shared by other residents. Your lease will provide details of the items that are covered by the service charge and how they are apportioned.

A. Service charge is calculated in accordance with your lease provisions. Usually these are based upon actual expenditure for the previous financial year with provision being made for anticipated future expenditure.

A. At the end of each financial year Accounts showing actual expenditure are issued to residents. Property owners can inspect invoices/accounts by appointment.

A. This is a rent payable to the Freeholder of the land on which your property stands. The amount and frequency of payment is detailed in your lease.

A. The lease usually details sub-letting. It is common that a property can be let as a whole but usually sub-letting of a part is prohibited.

A. Your lease will give details of your specific obligations. It is usual that Landlord's consent will be required and that structural alteration will be prohibited. Your managing agent can usually advise.

A. Modern leases usually provide for domestic pets to be kept provided they do not cause a nuisance. However some leases preclude pets altogether.

A. Most leases will not allow individuals to erect aerials. However forward thinking landlords are now regularly updating to modern television facilities.

A. Often a polite request to the offending party solves the problem. Leases will usually dictate how residents should behave. Your managing agent will be able to give advice or implement the terms of the lease.

A. Leases usually dictate that the building be insured as a whole and the cost included in the service charge. This ensures that all parts are insured. Contents of individual flats should be insured by the flat owner.

A. Your lease will provide that the landlord can appoint a Managing Agent. However under the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002, the Right to Manage a property came into force to enable residents to manage their own property. There are prescribed qualifying rules and procedures that have to be strictly followed in order for this to happen. Further details can be found on www.lease-advice.org. It is also possible for residents to appoint their own Managing Agents instead of the Landlord.