Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords and management companies to consult leaseholders before carrying out qualifying works where any leaseholder's contribution would exceed £250, or where a qualifying long-term agreement would cost any leaseholder more than £100 per year. The consultation involves a formal Notice of Intention, a Notice of Estimates and a Notice of Reasons. Failure to consult properly limits recovery from each leaseholder to £250 per qualifying work.

Service charges are calculated based on the anticipated costs of managing and maintaining the building in accordance with the lease. They can include buildings insurance, communal maintenance, cleaning, landscaping, lift maintenance, management fees, reserve fund contributions and major works. All charges must be reasonable and evidenced. Leaseholders have the right to challenge unreasonable service charges at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).

Yes. Leaseholders in qualifying buildings have the Right to Manage (RTM) under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, allowing them to take over management without having to prove fault on the part of the existing manager. The process requires forming an RTM company and serving a claim notice. Property Management Wales can advise both freeholders and leaseholders on the RTM process.

The freeholder or management company is typically responsible for placing buildings insurance under the terms of most leases. This must cover the reinstatement value of the building, public liability and any other covers required by the lease. Leaseholders have the right to inspect the insurance policy and challenge the cost and adequacy of cover.

Major works are managed through a transparent process — we obtain multiple contractor quotes, carry out Section 20 consultation where required, present the programme and costs to leaseholders, manage the works on site and sign off completion to standard. All major works are documented and reported in the annual accounts.

Yes. We manage the obligations of the Building Safety Act 2022 for applicable buildings including registration with the Building Safety Regulator, safety case preparation, resident engagement strategies and the duties of the Principal Accountable Person and Accountable Person.