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Leaseholders' guide – what you need to know - Leaseholders responsibilities
Your responsibilities as a leaseholder
Your lease explains your specific responsibilities, but generally, you’re responsible for:
- doors and windows: fittings (including lock) and glass. However, the council is responsible for the main structure of the doors and windows, including the frames.
- pipes and wiring: Any plumbing, drains, tanks, or cables that only serve your flat
- inside your home: Walls, ceilings, plaster, paint, and internal doors
- fixtures and fittings: Anything inside your home that isn’t owned by the council.
Note: things like communal TV aerials, entry systems, or district heating are the council’s responsibility.
Always check your lease for full details.
If you break the lease terms
If the council believes you’ve broken the lease (for example, by not paying service charges), here’s what happens:
- you’ll get a letter explaining the issue and what you need to do
- if you don’t respond or fix the issue, the council may take the matter to court or a tribunal
- if the court agrees there’s been a breach, and you still don’t act, the council can issue a formal notice
- you’ll need to pay the council’s costs for preparing this notice
- if you still don’t comply, the council may ask the court to end your lease (called “forfeiture”)
- you’ll usually get 28 days to fix the problem before the council can repossess your home
- even if your lease ends, you still owe any mortgage or loan on the property
- you can apply to the court within 6 months to get your lease back, but it’s up to the court to decide.
We hope it never comes to this and encourage you to reach out early if you’re having issues.
