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Leasehold terminology

This page provides an explanation of some of the terms used when referring to leaseholders and leases.

Block

The block is the building as described in the lease for which you are responsible for paying your share of the costs.

Breach

A failure to carry out a duty.

Consent

Written permission for you to carry out something that is extra to your lease, for example, altering the property, or sub-letting the property.

Consultation

Your right to be asked about and given the opportunity to comment upon works and services to the blocks.

Covenant

A promise to do something.

Deed of variation

Agreement between the landlord and a leaseholder to change the terms of a lease.

Demised premises

The part of a building you have purchased and are responsible for.

Easement

A legal right over someone else’s land.

Freeholder

The landlord, the person who granted the lease (in your case Medway Council).

Ground rent

A fee paid by the leaseholder to the freeholder as a condition of the lease.

Heads of charge

The individual services that together make up the service charge. For example, window cleaning and building insurance.

Improvement

The provision of something new or a change to the building to improve what is already there.

Lease

The agreement between you and Medway Council.

Leasehold valuation tribunal

An independent and impartial review panel.

Major work

Examples of major work are repainting, re-roofing and concrete repairs.

Qualifying long term agreement

An agreement for more than 12 months to provide works or services, such as grounds maintenance or buildings insurance, for which any leaseholder covered by the agreement may have to contribute £100 or more for any years covered by the agreement.

Qualifying works

Works that will cost £250 or more upon which you have the right to be consulted.

Repairing responsibilities

The repairs which, under the terms of the lease, the leaseholder and landlord agree to do.

Section 20

Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 that gives the right to be consulted about works and services.

Section 146

A notice served under section 146 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to end a lease.

Sub-letting

When you let the flat to someone else. This means that you become a landlord and are responsible for ensuring your tenants follow the terms and conditions of your lease. You must obtain prior, written permission from your landlord to sub-let. Please note: Consent can be withdrawn, due to anti-social behaviour from a leaseholder’s sub-tenant.

Sub-tenant

The person who rents the property from the leaseholder and pays rent to them.

 

For more information contact Housing Services by telephone: 01634 333219 or by email: housing@medway.gov.uk / leaseholders@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Housing Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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