The Leasehold Advisory Service

We recognises that leaseholders sometimes require an independent view on any disputes between landlords and shared owner leaseholders and we recommend that all leaseholders refer to LEASE when seeking guidance.

LEASE was set up in 1994 to provide free information, initial advice and guidance to members of the public about residential leasehold homes law. LEASE have been providing this valuable service for more than 20 years. As the first point of contact for leaseholders. LEASE is independent and impartial and all its advisers are legally qualified.

Proper management of housing stock is essential to the relationship between public sector landlords and their leaseholders. Major works projects and the consequent financial impact on leaseholders can be a prime source of tension. Getting to grips with good practice in this area should help landlords oversee projects effectively and to give confidence to their leaseholders that their interests are being looked after.

Standards

Raising and maintaining standards in service delivery is the objective of the two Good Practice Guides jointly produced by LEASE, housing professionals, leaseholders and independent advisors with funding from the Welsh Government.

The two separate guides focus on major works and are addressed respectively to social landlords and their leaseholders –

• Major Works Good Practice Guide for Social Landlords
• Major Works: A Guide for Leaseholders of Social Landlords

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Managing major works effective can help to reduce potential areas of dispute and to keep matters out of the courts and tribunals.

Disputes over major works can be lengthy and costly and often with no obvious winner at the end. Some may be settle through negotiations or using the landlord’s internal dispute resolution process. However, the parties may wish to look to an independent third party to consider matters afresh where matters have not been settled.

Parties may wish to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) to resolve disputes amicably and avoid the need to use the more formal and potentially costly legal proceedings at the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) or the courts.

The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) will be providing two such dispute resolution options for landlords and leaseholders.

LEASE web page can be accessed on: www.lease-advice.org