As the Landlord, the Council has a legal obligation to repair and maintain the structure and common parts of the building or estate where your flat is situated, and maintain the services provided including any district heating systems your property may be connected to. Under the terms of your lease, you have an obligation to pay towards the cost of these works by way of a service charge, and it is a breach of the lease agreement if you attempt to do any of these works or alter the structure in anyway yourself.
Leaseholders have the responsibility for maintaining the interiors of their properties to a standard that meets the council’s satisfaction. For some leaseholders, this includes doors and balconies, and for other leaseholders this does not, depending on what is demised to them in the lease agreements.
Major Works projects are large items of works such as repairs or renewal to the exterior or common parts of the buildings, and sometimes to features within the estates. Amongst others, some examples include window renewal, roof replacement or communal services such as lifts or communal heating. These are subject to a statutory consultation process and are billed separately from the day-to-day service charges.
Before we undertake any works to your building or estate which will result in a bill of more than £250.00 for any one leaseholder, we have a statutory duty to consult with you under legislation such as the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 (as amended) and associated consultation regulations. Some consultations are undertaken in two stages with procurement of potential contractors in-between. Some are carried out in one stage if a long-term agreement with a contractor is already in place having been consulted with leaseholders beforehand.
We will provide details of the works to be undertaken, the reasons why we consider the works are necessary and where possible give you an estimate of your likely contribution towards the costs of the work. You have the right to make any comments and observations regarding the works and/or costs and in some cases, you have the right to nominate a contractor who can provide a quote for the work. We also will provide details of how to do this and deadlines by which any enquiries must be made. In order to consult with you we will write to you at your property, and if you have provided us with any forwarding addresses as, for instance, you sublet your property, we will consult with you through that address as well.
Further Information
Please contact the Leasehold Services Team if you require any further information on this matter.
Address: Leasehold Services, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Contact Number: 0208 583 3787
Email: Leaseholdservices@hounslow.gov.uk
Payment Options Available
We are aware that some of the works we carry out incur significant charges. The London Borough of Hounslow offer a wide range of repayment options to try and assist residents with repayment.
Please use the following link to access our repayment options.
If you would still like to speak to somebody about an invoice you have received, or the payment options available, please contact our Accounts Receivable Team on;
Telephone Number: 020 3949 7732
Email
By Post: FAO: Accounts Receivable Team, London Borough of Hounslow, PO Box 638, Hounslow, TW3 9UL
