Leaseholders
What is a council leaseholder?
A Leaseholder is a person that holds a long lease of a flat or maisonette, granted by the council. This means that they are the legal owner of the flat (for the period of the lease). The council is still responsible for providing common services and maintaining the exterior of the block and common parts.
Insurance
Under the terms of all leases, the council is responsible for insuring the structure of the buildings in all blocks (this ensures the blocks are fully insured). You should not need to take out additional Buildings insurance via your Bank or other mortgage lender.
If you suffer any damage to your property, you should contact the loss adjuster (Claims Connexion 01446 771 722). The insurer is Ocaso and the policy number is 131024.
Note! The Council insurance is for the building only - you will have to take out your own contents insurance.
Copies of the insurance policy document can be obtained from the Housing Department.
Queries regarding policy cover should be directed to the Insurance Department at Powys County Council - 01597 82 6333 or by contacting Powys County Council.
Administration Costs
Administration costs include staff time in preparing service charge accounts, dealing with leaseholder enquiries, billing and collecting service charges and ground rent.
Communal Lighting
Where blocks have the communal parts lit, the cost of the electricity is shown against this heading. Repairs to the communal lights are shown against repairs.
Amenity Green Maintenance
Where a block has gardens and other green spaces that are exclusively for the benefit of the block, the cost of maintaining these areas is shown against this charge heading.
Entry Door Maintenance
Where entry doors serve a block, the council has a regular service contract in place and the charge is shown under this heading, where it is necessary to repair a door outside of the service period, the repair will be shown under the repairs heading.
Exterior Repairs
The council is obliged to repair the exterior of the block and its common parts, costs under this heading can vary enormously between years according to what works are carried out.
Major Works
Commitment to consultation
Where the Council propose to carry out repair works and the estimated cost is more than £250 per property the Council will consult leaseholders prior to staring the work. Should the Council fail to do so and it is not as a result of emergency circumstances it will only be able to recover £250 from each leaseholder even if the cost of the work for each property is greater.
Selling your lease
At some point in the future you may wish to move on and sell your property. We recommend you instruct a Solicitor to act on your behalf with the Sale.
To assist prospective purchasers the Council will provide relevant details of past Service Charges and future planned works but a charge is levied for this.
It is very important that your Solicitor sends formal notice to confirm the Sale has taken place. Without this we will continue to levy Service Charges on you.
