About your lease
The lease is simply a long-term tenancy which gives you the right to occupy the property.
Term
The lease sets out the time or ‘term’, which is usually 99 to 125 years.
The term diminishes over time, and if the term falls below 80 years, you may wish to consider extending the term of your lease.
Responsibilities under your lease
The lease sets out the contractual responsibilities for both parties. These include using and occupying the flat, paying the service charges, and setting and reviewing the rent for shared owners.
Generally speaking, for repairs, you are responsible for everything within the walls of your flat, and we are responsible for external, structural and communal items. It is important you understand your lease as it sets out how we manage and your rights and obligations for items such as service charges.
Your solicitor should have explained the lease to you during the sales process. It is your responsibility to comply with your terms, and if you have difficulty understanding any part of your lease, get in touch.
If you knowingly breach the terms of your lease, we may take action against you, including, if necessary, legal action. In the most serious cases, this may result in your lease being forfeited and the property being repossessed.
Leases vary, but generally they will include a list of your responsibilities and what we are responsible for.
Your responsibilities
- Pay your rent and service charges.
- Maintain and repair all internal parts of your property.
- Don't sublet your property without our consent.
- Get out written consent before carrying out alterations or improvements.
- Get our permission if you want to keep a pet at the property.
- Only use your home as your main home and only as a private residence.
- Don't cause a nuisance or annoyance to your neighbours.
- Provide us with access if and when necessary.
- Repay any discounts if applicable when selling on your lease.
Our responsibilities
- Maintain the property's structure and exterior in good repair, as well as all common parts of the building or estate.
- Keep the building insured for the full rebuild costs.
- Comply with service charge legislation and keep an account of our expenditure.
Obtaining a copy of your lease
To obtain a copy of your lease, you can:
- Contact us and ask for a copy of your lease.
We may have to order a copy from the Land Registry. - Ask the solicitor who handled the purchase of your property for a copy of your lease.
It is likely your solicitor will charge you an administration fee for this service. - If you have a mortgage, contact your mortgage provider and request a copy of your lease.
Your mortgage provider should hold a copy and should be able to send it to you for a fee. - Apply for a copy of your lease from the Land Registry
.