You can watch Dispatches Channel 4 TV programme reporting on Tremlett Grove Leaseholders being overcharged by Islington Council . It’s available online here
The Dispatches website comments pages on the programme has been busy. here
Tag: Leaseholders
Islington Council ( PFI) managing agent for street properties “Partners” have recently said that they will only obtain Listed Building Consents (LBC)/ planning permissions on works that they have done on properties in conservation areas or that are listed buildings IF the matter is brought to the attention of Partners directly by the resident concerned.
Islingtons Planning Conservation department on the other hand says that ” that unauthorised works carried out to listed buildings is a criminal offence. As such persons with a material interest in the property may be liable to prosecution”
Leaseholder may also find that they have an issue if they ever wish to sell their properties, and they need to obtains the the LBC’s to give to potential buyers. Trying to get consents from Partners in 2 or 10 year after works have been done may be tricky.
The ILA can’t give advice, so this shouldn’t be taken as such, but If your a leaseholder in a Conservation Area or Listed building you may want to check with the Islington Council conservation section of the Planning Department. whether the Major Works that Partners have done on your property should have had or require LBC., and if so bring it directly to Partners attention.
Please also let the ILA know if the Councils planning department confirm that council’s agents ( e.g. Partners,[the former] HFI etc) or Housing Property Services have done works to your property without getting the appropriate consents. contact
Thursday, 17th November 2011 from newsontheblock.com
In a landmark case that will undoubtedly be a gamechanger for the property management industry, the Upper Tribunal has decided that managing agents must consider the financial impact of major works on lessees and whether to phase works so they become more affordable. More
Upper Tribunal Decision
LVT Decision link
Categories
ILA Meet Wed 8.8.12
Islington Leaseholders Meeting
on
Wednesday 8 August 2012
in
Islington Town Hall Chambers
at
7 – 9pm
Hosting the meeting:- Dr Brian Potter
Guest Speakers:- To be advised
Please impress upon any other leaseholder’s that you know that it is in their interest to attend these meetings regularly…
Please see Dr Potters letter published in the Islington Tribune on 20 July 2012 –
Out in the cold in race to be champion.
The Leasehold Advisory Service(LEASE) recently made a presentation to an ILA meeting on Right to Buy – Residential Leases.
The ILA are pleased to make this LEASE presentation available which includes an example of a typical Local Council lease which would be made on a Council property purchased under the Right to Buy (RTB). and an explanation in plain English what each Clause means. more
Islington Leaseholders Meeting
on Wednesday 11th July 2012
in Islington Town Hall Chambers
at 7 – 9pm
Hosting the meeting:- Dr Brian Potter
Guest Speakers:- LEASE solicitors
Please view our Website www.ila.org.uk
twitter @ilaorguk
facebook http://on.fb.me/mWzios
Please let other leaseholders know of this meeting or fw emails or tweet / RT this event.
Categories
ILA – volunteers wanted
The ILA is looking for a “secretary’ to take minutes and distribute them regularly to all the directors and asks for a volunteer to undertake the essential part of the work, to assist the smooth running of the organisation. If your interested contact us here.
To find out when the next works are happening to your (ex-hfi – not partners) property – Please see the Capital Programme Update – Quarter 4 (which is on Pages 35 to 67 of the Consultative Panels Central Reports May 2012)
ILA
Islington Leaseholders Association
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(meeting in public)
Wednesday 13th June 2012, 7pm
Main Council Chamber, Islington Town Hall,
Upper Street N1
Agenda
=======================================
1/
Introduction and Annual General Meeting 2011-2012:
7pm-7.30pm
a) Chairs Report
b) Treasurers Report 2011-2012
c) Resolution regarding Audit of Accounts
d) Election of Directors/co-opted directors
==========================================
2/
Chair opens monthly meeting 7.30pm
==========================================
3/
Guest speaker: Ms Patricia Napier (Barrister) who has been advising leaseholders and acting for them on a Pro Bono basis. 7.35pm-8pm
==========================================
4/
Questions and answers from leaseholders 8pm-8.30pm
=========================================
5/
Any other business 8.30pm-9pm
=========================================
NP:- Please let other leaseholders know about this meeting especially those who do not have email or tweet / RT this event.thank you.
=========================================
Hosting the meeting:- Dr B.S. Potter Chairman ILA
Follow us on Twitter @ilaorguk
Like us on Face Book http://on.fb.me/mWzios
The LVT recently confirmed that it considers Islington council Major Works charges were not reasonably incurred, and that one roof had been replaced & charged for without any clear evidence of inspection by the council, and that leaseholders were entitled to expect that blocks were inspected before substantial costs were incurred.
The LVT upheld it original decision of Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
The leaseholders concerned saved 10’s of thousands of pounds off their bills.
The council may still appeal again, but the real questions are why is the council wasting taxpayers money in making appeals rather than investigating its contractor(s) and staff responsible for the issues pointed out by the LVT ? and Is the Council going to obtain a full refund for the overcharging from its contractors so all tenants affected can benefit from the LVT decision , or are LBI to pass the cost back onto tenants and leaseholders in increased service charges in future bills ?
You can read the refusal statement LVT Refusal statement 26 April 2012
The LVT upheld it original decision of Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12 see below post LVT – Merryweather & Brennand court vs LBI 29.3.12
Islington Leaseholders Meeting
on Wednesday 9th May 2012
in Islington Town Hall Chambers
at 7 – 9pm
Hosting the meeting:- Dr Brian Potter
Guest Speakers:- TBA
Please view our Website www.ila.org.uk Twitter @ilaorguk Face Book http://on.fb.me/mWzios
Please let other leaseholders know of this meeting or tweet / RT this event.