Customer service charter: Right to Buy and leasehold management

The sale of Brent Council properties and the management of leaseholder properties are carried out by Brent Housing Partnership (BHP). We are committed to working with our customers to provide a professional service.

Right to Buy

If you are a Brent Council tenant you may be able to buy your home. The terms and conditions of the Right to Buy scheme are defined by government legislation.

To start the process, you have to complete a Right to Buy application form and submit it for consideration by BHP. If your application is accepted we will:

 

  • Arrange for your home to be valued
  • calculate the discount (the maximum is £16,000)
  • issue a RTB2 in 4 weeks
  • issue a Section 125 offer notice within 8 weeks for a house and 12 weeks for a flat
  • provide general advice on your application (please note we can not provide you with advice on mortgages)
  • complete the RTB process for a house in 12 weeks
  • complete the RTB process for a flat in 16 weeks.

 

Leasehold service charges

If you buy a leasehold property BHP will remain responsible for communal repairs and maintenance of the property. Leaseholders have to contribute towards the cost of these works through their service charges.

We will:

 

  • Send you a yearly service charge bill
  • offer 5% discount if you pay the service charge bill within 28 days of the bill being issued
  • send a quarterly service charge statement of your account
  • collect 100% of the service charges owed to us and will take action to recover these costs under the terms of the lease
  • offer repayment options or refer you for independent money advice counselling at the Citizen Advice Bureau.

 

Communal repairs for leaseholders

Leaseholders can report and request repairs to communal areas, but you are responsible for internal repairs to your home.

We will:

 

  • Calculate the cost of rechargeable communal repairs
  • send you a list of all the communal repairs carried out every 6 months.

 

Major works and improvements for leaseholders

BHP is responsible for maintenance and improvements to the structure and exterior of the building.

We will:

 

  • Consult you prior to carrying out major works or improvements
  • offer a loan facility to cover the cost of major works
  • give you the option of paying for major works in 24 monthly instalments on an interest free basis.

 

Help with neighbour disputes for leaseholders

All leaseholders and tenants have the right to the quiet enjoyment of their home.

Neighbours may have a dispute about issues such as anti-social behaviour or noise nuisance.

We will:

 

  • Offer leaseholders advice and assistance
  • if necessary enforce the terms and conditions of the lease or tenancy agreement.