Leaseholder - FAQs
If you cannot find the answer to your questions here you may find it in the Leaseholder's handbook. If not please do not hesitate to contact the Plumlife Management team.
Q: What is ‘Leasehold’?
A: As a Leaseholder you have bought the right to live in your home for a fixed number of years (usually 99 or 125). The lease is a legal document that contains your rights and responsibilities as the Leaseholder and your landlord’s rights and responsibilities.
Q: What if I break the terms of my lease?
A: In the first instance, we will contact you and try to resolve the matter. If we are unable to do this, we may take legal action to recover possession of your home.
Repairs
Q: Am I responsible for the repairs at my home?
A: You are normally responsible for carrying out all repairs to your own property. The only exception to this is where your property is still within the defects period and if this is the caw, you should contact the developer who built your property. Leaseholders living in blocks of flats will contribute to a separate fund (a reserve or sinking fund) for long-term repairs to the communal areas of the building and cyclical works such as painting and replacement flooring.
Insurance
Q: Am I required to take out a buildings insurance policy?
A: No, the Association has a block insurance policy covering all our buildings. However this does not cover any of the contents of your property and we strongly advise that you take out a contents insurance policy. We would ask you to bear in mind that there will be an excess payable on any buildings insurance claims.
Q: How do I make a claim for a repair covered by the insurance policy?
A: You can now download a claim form online, but you will need to contact the Plumlife Management Team who will confirm if your claim is eligible and will help you to complete the first part of the claims form. Alternatively you can contact the Plumlife Management team and a form will be posted out to you with a covering letter and an insurance claims booklet with an addressed envelope for the insurance provider. All correspondence from this point will be between you and the insurance provider.
Service Charge
Q: How do I make monthly payments to the Association?
A: Upon purchase of your property you will be sent a Direct Debit mandate, which should be completed and returned to Plumlife immediately. If you wish to pay by cheque these can be forwarded to our office at Southern Gate made payable to Plumlife. Please ensure your full name and address is on the reverse of your cheque.
For other methods of payment see the 'How to pay your rent/service charge' tab on the left of this page.
Q: How will I know how much service charge to pay?
A: Every year we will send you an estimate of how much your service charge will be in the new financial year. It is based on the expenditure of the previous year and our knowledge of any works to be carried out in the following 12 months. You will be invited to make observations on the budget and the final figure will be sent to you 30 days before implementation.
Selling your property
Q: What happens if I want to sell my property?
A: The sales process depends on the lease you hold. You should contact the Plumlife Management team who can inform you what type of lease you have and direct you through the sales process.
Sub-letting
Q: Can I sub-let?
A: This will depend on what it says in your lease. You may not be allowed to sublet your property or you may require permission from your landlord or Plumlife. Please contact your Home Ownership Officer to confirm the position with your property. If you are able to sublet, it is your responsibility to inform your mortgage lender and insurance provider of your intentions. You are still responsible for making sure the terms of the lease are complied with and remain responsible for paying ground rent and/or service charge. It will also be your responsibility to make sure that your tenant complies with all the conditions of the lease.
For more information please read our Subletting Policy, or contact the Plumlife Management team.
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