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Luton Borough Council

Council leaseholders

 

When you buy a flat or maisonette that is part of a larger building or complex you purchase the leasehold.


When that larger building or complex is owned by us you become a council leaseholder.
 
A lease is usually for a fixed period of time and is determined by us when the property is sold. Leases are for a maximum period of 125 years. If a leasehold property is later sold to someone else the lease is for the number of remaining years.
 
Secure council tenants have the right to buy.

Service charges

Leaseholders pay a service charge to cover their share of the cost of the repairs and maintenance as well as improvements to the building. Examples of maintenance include:
  • cleaning of communal areas
  • grounds maintenance
  • communal electricity
  • digital TV network
  • communal heating
  • management costs
  • building insurance
  • day-to-day repairs
A list of all service charges and their explanation is available to download at the bottom of the page.
The annual service charge will be set each year in April and charged monthly in advance. If you do not pay your service charge we can take action against you, and if you still do not pay, we can apply for a Forfeiture Order to repossess your home. If you get into trouble with your payments, please contact us immediately for debt help and advice.

Making payments

We recommend you use direct debit because it is a secure and reliable way to make payments. There are a number of other payment options for leaseholders.

Repairs

We will still be responsible for arranging repairs and maintenance for the building and shared areas. You will be responsible for repairs and maintenance to the interior of your property.
 

Selling your leasehold property

If you purchased your property before 18 January 2005, you can sell it without telling us. Leases granted from that date include a clause that means you must offer us first refusal if you decide to sell the property.

Building and contents insurance

We arrange building insurance and you pay for this with your service charge. If you need to check what the insurance covers or if you need to provide details of it to your mortgage lender, the policy document and schedule are available to download at the bottom of the page.
It is your responsibility to arrange your own contents insurance. From April 2014 , we are extending our contents insurance scheme to include leaseholders, and you will have the option to insure your possessions with us.
 
Please download and read the leaseholders handbook from the bottom of the page. It is a regularly updated, useful guide - giving full details on your rights and responsibilities as a leaseholder and also the different contact numbers you will need for reporting different issues.

Support and services in Luton

If you are a leaseholder, like other people living in Luton, you have access to support and services from us. This includes access to adult social care services if you, or someone you live with, ever need care and support. Follow this link to find out more about care and support in Luton.

Getting involved

We encourage leaseholders and tenants to get involved in order to improve the service and help shape future policy.

 

Contact info
Leasehold and rent accounts team
Town Hall, George Street,, Luton, LU1 2BQ
Tel: 01582 546620

[email protected]

 

© 2024 Luton Council, Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ