What laws apply to leases?
Leasehold properties are governed by many different regulations. We’ve listed a brief outline below:
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended) section 18-22
- section 18 – defines what is a service charge
- section 19 – talks about the reasonableness of charges (both reasonableness of cost, and reasonable standard of works charged for)
- section 20 – sets out the way we must consult with you on major repairs and improvements and the timescales for invoicing you for works and more
- section 21 – sets out that we must provide you with a regular statement of account and the format that it must be in. It also sets out when a service charge can be withheld and what documents should accompany any demand for payment
- section 22 – sets out your rights to inspect the supporting documents used to calculate your service charge
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 section 71-178
- sections 71-113 – set out the details of the right to manage
- sections 114 – 128 – set outs the details of leasehold enfranchisement (ie when leaseholders buy the freehold from their landlord)
- sections 129 -136 – set out the right to renew your lease
- sections 137 -149 – talk about leasehold houses and are not relevant to any of our housing stock
- sections 150 – 155 – update and improve the rights formally given to you under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 has been amended to include these improvements)
- sections 167-172 – set out the rules for forfeiture of lease
