What other rights do leaseholders have?

Information:

• The landlord must provide its name and address within the UK which must be stated on every demand for service charges.
• Leaseholders can request summaries of service charges, details of the insurance cover and have the right to inspect accounts and other documents.

Consultation on major works:

• The landlord cannot carry out major works to the building (costing in excess of £250 per flat) without first consulting the leaseholders in the proper fashion. If the landlord fails to consult he may not be able recover all of the costs.

Consultation on long-term agreements:

• The landlord cannot enter into agreements or contracts over 12 months whereby any leaseholder will have to pay more than £100 without first consulting the leaseholders. If the landlord fails to consult he may not be able recover all costs.

Challenging service charges:

• Leaseholders can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to seek a determination of the reasonableness of the charges, whether already paid or not – for details click below.
  

Challenging administration charges:

• Leaseholders can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to seek a determination of the reasonableness of other charges arising from the lease in addition to the service charge. For example, fees for providing information on resale.

Extending a lease:

• An individual leaseholder who satisfies certain conditions can demand a new lease from the landlord, with a price to be agreed between the parties, or set by the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Buying the freehold:

• Groups of leaseholders who satisfy certain conditions can get together and enforce the purchase of the freehold, again with the price being agreed between the parties, or set by the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.