The Norwich Leaseholders’ Association has moved into gear.  Pauline Walton presented to the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government to bring to government’s attention the injustices caused by poor legislation, and what they decide will affect us all. 

We want Norwich City Council to show other landlords how it should be done – we want to be in at the beginning of every chargeable project, so that we can protect the interests of leaseholders (and other service charge payers).  We believe we can help keep costs down by focussing on essentials.

Leaseholders’ representation?

Norwich Council has recognised the Norwich Leaseholders’ Association as the official representative for all their leaseholders, but it believes it is prevented by the Data Protection Act from giving us your names and addresses. This means that we can only communicate with you through the Council. We have lots to tell you and we are sure you must have even more to tell us, but how can we work for you if we don’t know who you are?  

A whopping 96% of leaseholders polled said they want to be contacted directly by the NLA, and at the AGM the vote was unanimous. What do YOU think? Get in touch and tell us!  

Communal aerial maintenance – will the charges be “reasonably incurred”?

Did you know that the Council’s replacement scheme for communal TV aerial systems in blocks of flats will cost nearly £3 million? That’s £47 a year for 1500 leaseholders , and £1 a week for 7,500 tenants. We are worried about this project. Do you have cable? You will still have to pay for a service you might not use. We are working with Norwich City Council on this topic.  Get in touch with the Norwich Leaseholders’ Association and hear more!  

Management fee: service charges for Council running costs

Currently the flat-rate Management Fee which Norwich City Council charges leaseholders is £40 a year, but Council estimates running cost per leaseholder is £160. Pressure from the Norwich Leaseholders’ Association has persuaded the Council to adopt a fairer method of charging for services as from the 2007/8 financial year. NLA is still working with the Council on 2006/7 Management Fee. Did you know that you can only be charged for something that is written in your Lease? Are you being charged for something that isn’t covered?  Contact us now and tell us!  

AGM  – do you know what you need to know?

At the last AGM, the Norwich Leaseholders’ Association action groups were set up to tackle the most common issues raised by leaseholders:   

·        Rubbish handling across the City

·        Antisocial behaviour and problem families

·        Unitary status and leaseholders

·        Customer service

You can find out about NLA activities, other leasehold Associations, and support organisations by logging on to the NLA Website:
http://www.the-nla.org.uk

Or contacting Pauline on 465126

Write to,
144 George Borrow Road,
Norwich
NR4 7HX

Alternatively, email: secretary@the-nla.org.uk

 

Thank you to all those who have already responded to us.  If you haven’t returned your questionnaire, please don’t assume we are allowed to communicate with you directly.  It’s on the website and you can contact is any of the ways above. 

Please feel free to print and return to above address.

SERVICES TO NORWICH CITY COUNCIL LEASEHOLDERS

Norwich Leaseholders Association (NLA) is concerned that the concerns of individual leaseholders are still not being heard, and because our Association is staffed by volunteers with little time, we can only represent general issues.  We believe that you would like a more personal service so that the Council is made more accountable.  However, this can only be done with money. 

The purpose of this survey is to understand what you would like and whether you would be willing to pay a small annual subscription for the services proposed.

It is our intention to approach the Citizens Advice Bureau to deliver the service with help from NLA and with professional support from LEASE, lawyers and surveyors as appropriate. 

(1 is low, 5 is high) 

Council Leaseholder services

1.    How do you feel about Council Leaseholder services?     1    2    3    4    5

2.    How much do you expect Council Leaseholder service quality to improve after recent changes?    1    2    3    4    5

3.    Have you needed to complain Council Leasehold Service or Citycare over charges or service in the last 6 months?    YES/NO

Norwich Leaseholders Association (NLA)

4.    Were you aware that the NLA is staffed by volunteers and that it can only take up general issues?       YES/NO

5.    Have you ever contacted the NLA for help?    YES/NO 

6.    How much does the NLA contribute to your problems being resolved?    1    2    3    4    5

7.   Would you prefer to leave things unchanged?    YES/NO

Aspirations

8.    Would you like an independent service which could help you with your individual leasehold issues?      YES/NO

9.    Would you like an independent service which could help you talk to the Council?    YES/NO

10.  Would you like a service which could help you take a case to the Council through mediation or Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT)?    YES/NO

11.  Court action requires specialist legal advice.  Would you like reduced legal rates to help you fight a valid leasehold case in court?    YES/NO

12.  Independent survey reports are often desirable.  Would you like reduced surveyor's rates to help you assess your leasehold case?  YES/NO

13.  Would you be prepared to pay 25p per week (£12 per year) for these services?        YES/NO

14.   Are you on Council benefits?      YES/NO

15.  Would you be prepared to pay more than £12 per year to include limited free legal and surveying services?    YES/NO

Please make your further relevant comments here:

 

 

 

Questionnaire compiled by Pauline Walton 10/10/06

Secretary Norwich Leaseholders Association

01603 465126

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