Caerphilly Private Landlords’ Forum, 26th June 2017 Leaseholders Caerphilly Private Landlords’ Forum, 26th June 2017

Outline Which Properties Type of lease Charges Welsh Housing Quality Standard Improvement Programme Advice

Which Leaseholders ? Leaseholders who have bought former Council properties either initially under the Right to Buy or on the open market Flats

Types of Lease Standard clauses eg 125 year lease Leaseholder responsible for internal areas, Council for external and communal areas Mainly 2 lease types before 1996, after 1996 Before 1996 cannot charge for improvements, post 1996 can charge for improvements Council is responsible for arranging and carrying out the maintenance, the leaseholder is re-charged a proportion of the cost of the work to the whole block not just their flat eg, roof. Differences in what can be charged for; generally leases pre 1996 do not allow charges for improvements, after 1996 they do. No standard definitions of improvements, general guide if it wasn’t there before it’s an improvement. EWI an improvement

Charges Annual service charge bill consists of Any response repairs undertaken Buildings Insurance Premium Management Charge Ground Rent

Charges Major Works Bills Charged after completion of the contract Currently major improvement programme ongoing until 2020 to bring properties up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard; external works such as fencing, paths, guttering but also more extensive structural works to certain property types. Bills higher; additional payment options

Consultation If a contribution of more than £250 per leaseholder is required or the work will cost more than £1,000 for the block, consultation is required Three stages:- 1. Notice of Intention 2. Section 20 notice with estimated costs 3. Possibly a Notice of Award

Leaseholders who are Landlords In addition to your registration with Rent Smart Wales you need to tell us if you sublet We need correspondence address and emergency contact details Payment options may differ

Buying A Leasehold Flat Make sure your solicitor submits a landlords’s questionniare You will need to agree any outstanding service charges Check the amount of time left on the lease (some mortgage providers may not lend and/or you may have difficulty selling if there is less than 80 years left on the lease)

Advice LEASE : www.lease-advice.org CCBCLeaseholder Services Officers 01495 235387/01495 235318 Disputes:- Leasehold Valuation Tribunal Public Services Ombudsman

Questions?