Leaseholders of flats sold under the Right to Buy - services and communal repairs

Leasehold ownership is simply a long tenancy, the right to occupation and use of the flat for a long period – the ‘term’ of the lease. The ownership of the flat usually relates to everything within four walls, including floorboards, and plaster to walls or ceilings, but does not usually include the external or structural walls. The structure of the build and the land it stands on belongs to the landlord (the Council).

What is a lease?

Your lease is a private contract between you and your landlord (Bolton Council). Your lease sets out your rights and duties and those of your landlord.

As a leaseholder you are responsible for

• The floor surface including floorboards within the dwelling
• Wall plaster and plasterboards
• Ceiling plaster and plasterboards
• Glass to windows within the dwellings – only if maliciously damaged
• Internal non structural walls
• Plumbing and wiring within your dwelling
• payment towards the cost of repairs and maintenance to the structure and outside of your home and any communal areas
• gaining written permission from Bolton Council before making any structural alterations (please contact the Home Ownership section on 01204 335423 for advice)

What are Bolton Council’s main responsibilities towards leaseholders?

The repair and maintenance of the following:

• communal staircase or corridors
• lifts
• communal gardens and pathways
• communal lighting, cables etc
• communal heating, pipes, boilers etc

Structural and exterior repairs:

• foundations to the building
• external walls
• roof
• windows and window frames – if the property was sold after 13.12.96; properties sold prior to this date it is the leaseholder’s responsibility
• Service pipes and ducts

As part of your lease you will contribute a share of the costs incurred for this work and will be billed on an annual basis.

If there is a problem on your estate or in your block please report it using the details below.

Contact us

The dedicated Emergency Repair telephone number 01204 338200, this service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The number covers the whole Borough, so use it wherever you live. This is not a 999 emergency service; however if you require information regarding police, fire NHS click on the links below.

Use the link below to access information regarding Transco and United Utilities.

Comments, compliments and complaints

If you would like more information, or have a comment, complaint or suggestion about how we can improve our services. Forms are available from reception, or by using the feedback link below or you can contact us directly on 01204 335765 and we will send you one. You can also give feedback in writing to:

Best Practice and Performance Team
Bolton at Home
FREEPOST NAT13006
Bolton
BL1 8ZZ

Or email
Housing.complaints@boltonathome.org.uk

For more information on repairs please click on the link below to the tenants repair manual

Tenants Repairs & Maintenance Handbook (PDF - 1mb opens in a new window)

Other Useful Links

Council House sales / Home Ownership on Bolton Council website (opens in a new window)
Disrepair Guidance
Housing Repairs Debris Hotline
Service Standards
Housing Office Contact List
Rechargeable Repairs
www.transco.uk.com (opens in a new window)
www.unitedutilities.com (opens in a new window)
Feedback form

For the emergency services please use the following links

www.manchesterfire.gov.uk
www.gmp.police.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk