It can often be confusing for leaseholders as to who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of items associated with their block and individual flat. The information below aims to provide some useful guidance on this. However, it should be noted that whilst what is set out below is the norm, the actual responsibilities are defined in the lease and are specific to each lease documents. So to accurately confirm the situation in your block you should refer to your lease document.
Responsibilities are divided between the Leaseholder and the Freeholder (or person who has take on responsibility for managing and maintaining the block).
Leaseholders (Flat Owners)
Leaseholders are usually responsible for repairs inside their flat and for services exclusively serving their flat .
This includes:
Structural/decoration
- Window glazing inside and out, window catches, sash cords,
- Floorboards, floor coverings/tiles, skirting boards
- Internal doors, individual front doors, their frames, hinges, and locks
- Plaster covering on walls and ceilings
- Ceilings and ceiling battens
- Air vents and extractor fans that serve just your property
- Kitchen units and appliances
- Internal decoration, fixtures, and fittings
- Light bulbs and fuses
Facilities
- Individual heating systems (central heating) and appliances
- Plumbing and pipework within the property
- Water tanks and cisterns
- Sanitary ware – toilets, baths, sinks, showers, taps
- Electric fires, gas fires, and fireplaces
- Water, gas, and electricity supplies that exclusively serve an individual flat
- Drains from sinks, baths, showers and sewerage pipes that exclusively serve an individual flat
- Private gardens included within an individual lease
Freeholders, Management Companies, Managing Agents
The Freeholder, Management Company or Manging Agent (whoever is responsible for running the building), is responsible for arranging repairs and maintenance to the communal areas. If the leaseholders have gained the Right to Manage (RTM), they will take over these responsibilities from the freeholder and they may use the services of a Manging Agent to assist them.
Whoever is responsible for managing the building will be responsible for:
Structural/decoration
- Painting and decorating the exterior of the building
- Painting and decorating internal communal areas
- Communal doors, communal gates, communal door furniture (handles, etc)
- Internal structural walls, load-bearing walls, and walls dividing the flat from other common parts of the building and adjacent properties
- Roofs, gutters, and window frames*
- Foundations, drains, waste pipes, and soil pipes which serve residents in common
- Communal stairs, walkways, passages, and paths
- External fixtures, fittings, and equipment
Facilities
- Communal central heating and hot water
- Communal lighting and electricity
- Door entry systems
- Lifts
- Communal TV aerial, satellite dishes and sockets
- Smoke and fire alarms
- Refuse disposal chutes and communal dustbins
- Communal grounds and gardens
- Main pipes where they are used in common by the residents in the building.
- Sewerage pipes used in common by residents in the block
It is the leaseholder’s responsibility to pay for the above works, with the money usually obtained via service charges and apportioned to each leaseholder according to their lease by the freeholder, Management Company, RTM or Managing Agent.
Notes:
- Window frames can be the responsibility of the leaseholder or freeholder, refer to your lease to see who is responsible for window frames in your flat.
Gary Hepburn
Managing Agent
Sirius Property Services Ltd
December 2024
