A guide to your lease
Your lease sets out the rights and responsibilities of Hastoe Housing Association (the landlord) and you as the owner of the flat or maisonette (the leaseholder). Your solicitor should have explained to you exactly what your lease means and the rights and obligations attached to it.
Your lease is an important document and should be kept in a safe place.
How long is the lease?
If you bought your flat from us as the first sale under the right to buy, the lease will probably be for a period of 125 years and will have your name on it.
If you bought your flat on the open market from another person, the lease will have been assigned to you for the remainder of the original term. You will have a Notice of Assignment, confirming that you have bought the lease and setting out the remaining length of the lease. The original owner’s name will still be on the original lease.
Can the lease be changed or amended?
No changes to the lease can be made without your agreement, unless there is a change in law, or there is an instruction from a First Tier Tribunal.
Leaseholder rights & responsibilities
Meanings of common words used in your lease:
Below are a number of definitions that may help you in understanding some of the terminology used in your lease. Please note that they are for assistance only and are not precise legal definitions.
Apportionment: The way in which the costs of service are shared.
Block: The building described in your lease for which you are responsible for paying a share of Hastoe’s costs.
Breach of Covenant: When a condition, obligation or duty set out in your lease is breached or broken.
Certified Accounts: These are the end of year accounts that have been certified by an accountant.
Consents: These are the written permissions that you will require from Hastoe if you wish to make any additions or alterations to your property.
Consultation: This sets out your right to be consulted about qualifying works (major works) and any long term agreements.
Deed of Covenant: This is the legal document setting out any agreements, permissions, undertakings and restrictions.
Demised Premises: This defines and describes the building and/or parts of buildings that you have bought and are responsible for. It will include all relevant boundaries, gardens and outbuildings.
Forfeiture: The legal ending of the lease and repossession due to failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the lease.
Lease: The legal contract between you and Hastoe, which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties.
Service charges: These are the charges that Hastoe can recover from a leaseholder for services Hastoe has provided. Leaseholders have legal responsibility under the lease to pay service charges.
Contact the Home Ownership team
If you have any questions about your home or lease that are not covered in the online guide, please get in touch.
