On 23 February 2023, Norwich City Council wrote to its leaseholders to confirm that as a result of the buildings insurer withdrawing cover for the council’s leasehold properties, the council must tender and procure a replacement policy for April 2023 onwards, and the council intended to apply to the First Tier Tribunal for a dispensation from the formal consultation requirements given the short timescales involved. A new policy was approved on 24 March 2023 with a commencement date of 1 April 2023 and there was no interruption of insurance cover. View a summary of the insurance cover.
Due to the short time available, it was not possible for the council to carry out the statutory consultation process required under section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 without risking interruption of the insurance cover. Therefore, on 21 March 2023 the council submitted an application to the First Tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Residential Property) for dispensation of the consultation requirements. A copy of the application was served on the leaseholders by letter dated 19 June 2023. Leaseholders were given until 10 July 2023 to object.
A number of leaseholders have objected to the council’s application for dispensation and, following further representations made by the parties, the application is to be heard on 24 October 2023 at 10am by remote hearing. View a copy of the Tribunal’s letter confirming the hearing date and arrangements. The outcome of the hearing could affect the amount that leaseholders are liable to pay for insurance cover.
Further information
Should a leaseholder require any further information on the application/hearing, or the matter generally, they should contact the council at homeownership@norwich.gov.uk