Zoe Cacanas’ excellent article on leaseholders’ rights shows that social landlords need to rethink their approach to estate management and repairs and improvement programmes (4 March, page 28).

As a result of recent legislative reforms, leasehold valuation tribunals can now rule on the reasonableness of charges for improvements as well as proposed service charges, so leaseholders – such as those with right-to-buy leases – are now in a much stronger position than before.

Later this year landlords will also have to give new statutory notices when making service charge demands. These will include statements advising leaseholders of their statutory rights, such as their rights to challenge service and improvement charge expenditure.

James Driscoll, consultant solicitor, Trowers & Hamlins

Source

Housing Today