Leaseholders

Gedling Borough Council currently has 268 leaseholders. Leaseholds are properties which have been sold under the Right to Buy scheme, and are typically flats, maisonettes or houses which have been divided into separate dwellings, with the freehold of the property remaining with the Council.

Leasehold is a form of property ownership, usually for a fixed time period, with the landlord, or freeholder, being entitled to ground rent and service charges.  

At the end of the fixed term, the ownership of the property reverts back to the freeholder, in this case Gedling Borough Council.  

People who have rented a property from the council, as a secure tenant may have the right to buy.  Please see The Right to Buy Scheme page.

If you buy the lease of a property, you are called the ‘Leaseholder’. Buying the leasehold of a property gives you a legal interest in the property; normally this means that you have the right to occupy the property rent free, upon payment of both the ground rent and the service charge, for the period of the term.

Leaseholders can sell what is left on the term of the lease to another person, or they can sub-let the property.

The leasehold is an agreement between Gedling Borough Council and you. It tells you what your obligations and rights are and also the rights and obligations of the freeholder, Gedling Borough Council.

NB please note that leases differ, always read your own documents.

With regard to the maintenance of the property, Gedling Borough Council is usually responsible for the following items: -

• The roof
• Outside walls, window frames and most communal doors
• External gutters and external pipes
• Drains and gullies
• Communal pathways and steps
• Interior communal parts
• Communal TV and entry phone installation, lifts – subject to the  service charge
• Concrete canopies over doors and windows

The leaseholders responsibility for the property covers, things such as: -

• The entire heating system and servicing, including sweeping of chimneys
• Water tanks which are located in the property
• Internal walls, floors and ceilings
• Doors, door frames, door hinges, skirting boards etc
• Window catches, sash cords, locks
• Glass in windows
• Plasterwork
• Decoration
• Staircases and banisters
• Kitchen units, work tops and all appliances
• Air vents and extractor fans
• Sinks, baths, showers, toilets etc
• Electrical pumping installations
• Fuses and tap washers, light bulbs and elements for electric fires
• Adding security and changing the locks if you are locked out
• Damage caused to the property by you or your visitors  

Service Charges

Service charges are the payments made to the freeholder, Gedling Borough Council, towards the cost of providing and maintaining services for the property you live in. Service charges are split fairly between all the dwellings. The council pays the proportion relating to the rent paying tenants.

It is important to note that the cost of the services provided to the rent paying tenants is not subsidised by the leaseholders.

Service charges can be broken down into 2 key areas

1.Day to Day Services

   Covering areas such as: -

• Routine day to day repairs to the communal parts of the building
• Insuring the building
• Electricity – lighting common parts, lifts etc
• Lift maintenance
• Management of the service provided and the administration of  the accounts.

2.Major Works

These works are programmed as part of our obligations within the terms of your lease to maintain the structure and exterior of the property you live in.  

How to report a repair

If the areas, which Gedling Borough Council is responsible for, require attention please either: -

Telephone 0115 901 3686 / 3680

Call in to either the Civic Centre or Cemetery Lodge at Carlton.

Fax 0115 200 747, including details of your name, address, contact details and as much information as possible about the repair.  Please also advise on access.

E-Mail email housingservices@gedling.gov.uk

By letter including details of your name, address, contact details and as much information as possible about the repair.  Please also advise on access.

What to do in an emergency

All emergency repairs out of office hours should be reported on

0800 096 0306

Please use this number only for genuine emergencies.

Emergency repairs are ones, which are needed to avoid serious damage or prevent serious structural damage to the property.

We will respond to emergency repairs within 24 hours, but will aim to do the majority within 4 hours of receiving your call. It is often necessary to undertake temporary repairs to resolve the immediate problem with further works being completed as soon as possible

Contacting Us

If you would like any further information about leaseholder issues, Please contact Housing Services on telephone: 0115 9013696 or email: housingservices@gedling.gov.uk