Making improvements or alterations to your leasehold property
Get information on what to do if you're a leaseholder of a former Be One Homes or Bolton Council property and would like to make improvements or alterations to your property.
About your ground rent and service charges as a leaseholder:
Whilst we’ve tried to include as much information as possible, our webpages might not cover everything. If you’d like to speak with us about your lease, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
Please note that this is just a guide and doesn’t replace your lease.
What is ground rent (for leaseholders)?
Ground rent is specified in your lease and is a rental paid to us every year.
You will receive a separate invoice for your ground rent.
What are service charges (for leaseholders)?
A service charge is a payment you make towards the costs of providing and maintaining services for the block you live in.
- Service charges are payable by all leaseholders annually.
You must pay your share of the costs of managing and maintaining your block. This is a legal duty set out in your lease. If you don’t pay your share, you’re breaking your lease agreement and we could apply to the First Tier Tribunal and/or to the courts for payment. In these circumstances, you could lose your home. We may also forward any arrears to a collection agency.
Service charges are a key consideration in taking on a lease and are part and parcel of becoming a leaseholder.
We’ll always be fair about service charges. We’ll explain how they’re calculated, and you can challenge any charges you don’t agree with. If you have financial problems, we may be able to make other arrangements to help you pay your service charges.
The service charge will vary depending on where you live and covers services such as:
- Day-to-day and emergency repairs to the block.
- Cleaning.
- Buildings insurance.
- Paths and access.
- Roof repairs or re-roofing.
- Structural repairs.
- Lifts.
- Door entry systems.
- Electrical rewiring of shared areas.
- Grounds maintenance.
- Management fee.
- TV aerials.
What do my service charges mean and what do they cover?
Here's a breakdown of our various service charge items:
- Please note that payment of service charges is a condition of your lease.
Maintenance items:
These are repairs to your block that’ve been reported to us. They may not have been reported by you, it could be by your neighbours, visitors to the block, or our colleagues.
The amount you pay is a part of the full cost depending on how many properties are in your block. For example, if there are four flats in the block, the cost is divided by four.
Digital TV, cable TV, and satellite dishes:
This is the aerial to the block to receive a TV signal. If you have a satellite dish, you still have to pay this charge.
If you did not have this service you would not be able to receive any television channels.
Communal lighting:
This covers all external and internal lighting to communal areas.
Lifts:
You’ll pay this charge if your block has a lift, even if you live on the ground floor.
Grounds maintenance:
This includes grass cutting and maintenance of shrubs and hedges for the whole of your estate and the borough.
If you choose to cut the grass or maintain any shrub/flower beds on communal land then this is appreciated, however, the charge still applies as the service still exists.
This service is only for land that belongs to us. You can tap here for more information and contact details for our grounds maintenance service (overseen by our Neighbourhood Services Team).
Laundry facilities:
You’ll pay this charge if you have access to laundry facilities, even if you choose not to use them.
Community centre:
You’ll pay this charge if you have access to a community centre, even if you choose not to use this facility.
Fire extinguisher:
You’ll pay this charge if there are communal fire extinguishers in your block.
Door entry/security door:
If you need a fob to access the block, this charge will apply.
Caretaking service:
All blocks with communal areas receive a cleaning service. This includes sweeping and mopping of:
- Entrance areas
- Stairs
- Lifts
- Landings
- Paths within the boundary of the flats
- Communal windows front and rear entry
If you choose you keep your communal area clean and tidy, this is appreciated. However, this charge still applies as the service still exists.
CCTV:
If a CCTV system is installed where you are, this charge will apply.
Management charge:
This is a percentage of your charges and includes:
- Preparing and distributing service charge budgets/estimates.
- Collecting service charges.
- Providing management information to residents.
- Periodic health and safety checks
- Keeping records of residents and tenancy details.
- Preparing specifications for minor works and services.
Buildings insurance:
Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairs to the fabric of your building (the bricks, roof, windows, etc.) in the event of damage.
We’re responsible for the building insurance for our blocks. As per your lease, you’ll pay a contribution to this.
Contents Insurance is the responsibility of the resident.
What if I don't think my bill is correct?
Please get in touch if you’d like to dispute or query the whole or part of your service charge. You’ll find our contact details at the bottom of this page.
Making sure you get a good service
Remember that the cost of repairs will normally be shared between you, Be One Homes, and other leaseholders in your block.
If a job is not done properly, please let us know by contacting us. You’ll find our contact details at the bottom of this page.
What if I'm finding it hard to pay?
If you're struggling to pay your service charges or ground rent, please contact us straight away.
Our Money Advice Team can help you to:
- Find the right payment method.
- Set up affordable repayment plans to pay arrears.
- Check you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to (even if you're working).
- Reduce your other household bills.
- Manage your finances and deal with any debts you may have.
- Support you back into training or employment.
- You can tap here to learn more about our Money Advice Team and see their contact details.
What will happen if I don't pay?
If you don’t pay your service charges or ground rent, we'll contact you to ask why.
If non-payment continues, we can consider the following options:
- Application to the Courts for a Money Order.
- Contacting your Mortgage Lender.
- First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
- Losing your home by forfeiture or repossession.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) including Mediation & Arbitration.
Get more information on your lease:
Making changes to your lease
Get information on making changes to your lease (if you own a home that used to be owned by Be One Homes or Bolton Council).
Major works to your building (leaseholders)
Learn more about how we'll sometimes need to carry out major/large scale works to your building (for leaseholders of former Be One Homes or Bolton Council properties).
Leaseholder rights and responsibilities
Get information on your rights and responsibilities as a leaseholder (if you own a home that used to be owned by Be One Homes or Bolton Council).
Leasehold repairs
Get information on repairs for leasehold properties (if you own a home that used to be owned by Be One Homes or Bolton Council) and who is responsible for what.
Ground rent and service charges for leaseholders
Get information on ground rent and service charges for leaseholders (if you own a home that used to be owned by Be One Homes or Bolton Council).
Fees for leaseholders and Shared Ownership owners
See the full list of fees for Be One Homes leaseholders, including admin fees, consent charges, and costs for extensions, improvements, and legal documents.
Speak with us about your lease:
- We're here to help. If you'd like more information on your lease, please get in touch.
You can call us on 01204 328000 or email leaseholdmanagement@beonehomes.com. You can also write to us at:
Leasehold Management,
98 Waters Meeting Road,
Bolton,
BL1 8SW.