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Leaseholder services

For a summary of your rights as a leaseholder please see the following link: Summary of rights

To view our Leasehold Charter click here.

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LEASEHOLDER COMPACT FEEDBACK

Meeting held on Monday 26th November 2007 – Broxbourne Civic Centre

Present: Simon Walton – Director of Housing Services
Dave Lockerman – Safer Communities Manager
Bill Finch – Property Services Manager
Neil Cole – Senior Maintenance Officer

11 Leaseholders and their partners

Purpose of Meeting:To update leaseholders on issues specific to them which are by nature difficult to address via our normal compacts which are for both tenants and leaseholders.

Areas Discussed:

Leaseholder service review SW

  • We are currently carrying out a Leaseholder service review with a view to improving leaseholder services.
  • We will start with us carrying out a satisfaction survey early next year for all Leaseholders to see what you think of us now and identify areas for improvement.
  • We will be asking for your input in the service and other areas too.
  • Your diversity information is needed to ensure we can record all relevant information, especially postal addresses if you do not live in your property yourself and to help us ensure all minority groups are treated fairly.

Resident Panel & Tenant Inspectors SW

  • We have a resident panel that sits underneath the board, made up of 8 regular members but currently no leaseholders. As over 15% of our customers are leaseholders we would like to reflect this in the panel.
  • We are setting up a pilot scheme to recruit Resident Inspectors to assess communal areas and a working party to develop our service standards.
  • Residents could also help with reporting of problems in their area and be involved with estate walkabouts.
  • If any of the above appeals to you then please contact Jenny on 01992 543700.

Anti Social Behaviour update DL

  • Recent ASB review completed and action plan for further improvements explained.
  • Cross tenure working so action has been taken both on behalf of and against leaseholders.
  • A number of successes to date were discussed.

Major Works Scheme update BF

  • We are responsible for certain block maintenance as per your lease agreement.
  • You can however buy into our capital schemes at the cost we have negotiated on volume eg. Kitchens, Bathrooms, Heating & Rewires. We hope to develop this and we will contact you when we have a scheme in your area. This was well received and one leaseholder present had recently enquired about doing exactly this and was told it was not possible – she was particularly pleased with the proposals.

Fishers Close – possible work includes:


1. Strip out existing stairwells & bin cupboards and remedial works to staircase towers and refuse chambers, to include re lining, new doors, hand rails, door closers, emergency lighting and stairwell lighting.
2.Fabricate and install tiled pitched roof over walkways and staircase towers, works to include new soffits, fascias and rainwater goods. Improve surface water drainage to accommodate additional load from walkways, roofs and stairwells.
3.Remove any asbestos.
4.Batten out & insulate perimeter of blocks then fix ‘Eternit’ cladding, these works to be adapted to interface with soffits, fascias and rainwater goods.
5.All perimeter fencing to be renewed, to include gates, security bolts
6.Block pave perimeter walkways
7. Soft landscaping.

Coopers Walk - possible work includes:


1.Take down walkways between blocks and existing staircase towers
2.Build new entrance towers
3.Build new refuse chambers
4.Remedial works to remaining staircase towers and refuse chambers
5.Pitch roofs over 3rd floor and ground floor pods
6.Improve door entry system
7.Cover over existing balconies 3rd floor level
8.Canopies to ground floor entrance
9.Hard landscaping
10.Soft landscaping
11.Brickwork boundaries
12.Brick block paving to roads and pathways
13.Overclad pods at 3rd floor level.

However please note:

  • Leaseholders and Tenants will be involved in the appointment of Consultants to develop the proposal which will encompass resident’s aspirations. This process will start early in 2008.
  • Leaseholders will be re-charged in accordance with their respective leases.
  • There will be clearly defined costs for block repairs, communal and environmental improvements.

Personal issues addressed included:


1.Removing suspected asbestolux from garages at Newnham Parade. BF to find out and advise.
2.Our contractors now have access to a large Cherry Picker which should reduce bills to leaseholders in large blocks for things like guttering repairs.
3.Washing lines at Langton House were repaired but as not stuck in enough makes lines too high; also gullies at the block need clearing. The maintenance officer will visit to assess.
4.Newnham Parade painting exterior – the quality was questioned although was a couple of years ago now. BF made aware as he runs the contract and as a general rule if anyone is unhappy with quality of work to report it as soon as possible. Also one stairwell not painted last time around.
5.BF to check windows in block 95-103 Mill Lane which appear to be deteriorating.
6.Thanks were given to two of our caretakers for their hard work, namely Hicham and Sue.
7.Bakerscroft – issues of dog mess, rubbish being put out too early and recycling raised, and Neil thanked for his swift response, he will pass issues on to relevant staff members.