| answer text |
<p>Shared owners have a full repairing lease and are financially responsible for all
maintenance charges and outgoings, in the same way as any other leaseholder or homeowner.</p><p>The
Government has no power to intervene in how housing associations, which are private,
non-profit making organisations, carry out their maintenance or repair works. However,
the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires that service charges are only payable where
the costs incurred are reasonable.<br><br>Where they believe that the service charges
they are being asked to pay are unreasonable, leaseholders - including those who have
purchased under a shared ownership scheme - have a number of statutory rights and
protections in respect of those service charges, and the management of their property.
These include:<br><br><br>- The right to apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property
Chamber) to determine the liability to pay and reasonableness of service charges.<br>-
The right to write to their landlord to request a written summary of the costs which
make up the service charges, and to require the landlord to provide reasonable facilities
to inspect the accounts, receipts and other documents supporting the summary.<br>-
Where new or extended services are introduced and where an additional charge may need
to be made, landlords are expected to consult appropriately with tenants before introducing
these services and associated charges.<br><br>Free initial advice and information
on leaseholders' rights can be obtained from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).
This is a specialist body, funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government,
to provide initial advice and information on a wide range of residential leasehold
issues.<br><br></p>
|
|
