What is your lease?
Your lease is a legally binding document that deals with all the legalities of your property. It sets out the rights and responsibilities for both you as the leaseholder and PA Housing as the freeholder or head lesse.
We recommend you seek your own independent legal advice if you have specific questions about the details of your lease, however we are happy to answer any general questions where possible.
Making changes to your home
You can choose how you decorate and furnish your home but we'll need to give you permission if you want to make any improvements or alterations.
This could include things such as:
- Putting in a new bathroom or kitchen
- Changing the central heating
- Replacing internal doors
Structural Alterations are strictly not permitted.
Any alterations to building services, such as gas supply/valves, water pipework, or main waste pipes/connections, require our prior written consent.
If you plan to carry out any works inside your property, you must inform us in advance. We’ll need details of the work, even if it is a like‑for‑like replacement, as it may still count as an alteration. Please check with us first.
For example, if you intend to replace your boiler, you must notify us beforehand. No changes can be made to the external fabric of the building where the flue is located. Structural alterations are not permitted. The flue’s shape, colour, and design must match others in the development and must vent in the existing location.
You must also seek consent because we may need approval from the freeholder. In some buildings, we hold only a lease for part of the structure, and another party owns the freehold. In these cases, we must pass your request to the freeholder or managing agent to obtain their written consent so that both you and we comply with our agreements.
Internet installations
If you live in a flat and your service needs to enter the property, you must tell us what you plan to do, where the supply will enter, and how cables will be run. Anything on the outside of the building is not part of your property and is retained by PA.
You must also obtain written consent before replacing floor coverings, installing a shower, or putting up a shed in your private garden.
Permission for a pet
If you're thinking of getting a furry friend, please get in touch with us first.
We can provide all the information you need about keeping a pet at home.
We cannot always give written permission to keep pets, so you must check with us first. It's worth getting in touch as soon as you plan to get a pet.
Repairs responsibilities at your home
We'll repair and maintain the shared areas of your building - like the hallways, corridors, stairs and outside spaces.
You're responsible for any maintenance or repairs inside your property.
To be absolutely sure we always say to check in your agreement or lease.
But most times your agreement with us is what we turn to when we check who’s responsible for what.
if you live in a building that’s recently been constructed and you the first person even to live in the property and have been in there for less than a year there’s a strong chance that we’re still within the Defect Liability Period.
This can be six months or 12 months. If any issues crop up inside your property within the Defect Liability Period then do let us know. We might be able to fix it at no cost to yourself.
Doors
If you live in a building with internal common parts then we or your Managing Agent be responsible for the repair and replacement of your door. We kindly ask residents not to attach anything to the door to your flat as it may compromise fire safety.
Windows
In most cases we’ll be responsible for the external frame. You’ll be responsible for the glass and the inside of the window including the handle and hinge.
Walls
They must not be altered in any way. Structural Alterations are not permitted. If you have a question or a proposal then please do let us know . This is because alterations require our prior written consent.
Pipe Work
Gutters, soffits, fasica boards and rainwater goods
We’ll normally be responsible to maintain these
Main Soil pipes and Drains
We’ll normally be responsible to maintain these
Branch waste pipe
If there’s a section of pipework which serves your property exclusively then you’ll be responsible for the upkeep of it.
Entryphone System
We’re responsible to repair and maintain the main panel at the communal access point. Residents should keep their handsets in their flat in good condition. If it needs replacing then you might get recharged for it.
Balconies
Normally the structure is our responsibility to maintain but the door leading to your balcony and the floor covering is normally the leaseholder’s responsibility. In any case its worth checking with us.
Heat Interface Units
You might live in a Building which has a central boiler and a heat Interface Unit inside your property. Gas is converted into heat at a central location. This heat is then distributed throughout the building via specialist pipework and delivered to individual homes through a device called a Heat Interface Unit (HIU), which supplies both heating and hot water. We’re normally responsible to maintain them. They typically appear in Buildings where there’s a Third Party Managing Agent. In such cases they’ll be responsible to maintain them.
Stairwells and Landings
In you like in a building with internal common parts then well normally be reasonable for the maintenance of the stairwells and landings. But there are some situations where a home owner might be the only one with access to a stairwell and landings to the exclusion of others . In which case you’d be responsible to maintain the stairwell and landing leading up to your property .
Water Storage Tanks
Some buildings have water storage tanks. They might store the water which feeds into your hot water taps in your bathroom. If your supply tank also feeds another tank then we’ll be responsible tor the repair and maintenance of your tank. But if it feeds your property alone then you’ll be fully responsible for it.
Gardens
If three’s a green space used in common with other residents then well most likely be responsible to maintain it along with any trees in there . But if you property comes with a gardens where you’ve got exclusive access then you’ll be responsible for it.
Fire Safety
You are responsible for the repair and maintenance of smoke/heat detectors/sounders within your property.
If however they are linked to a main system within the common parts then we’ll be responsible to maintain, as it is hard to tell please always check with us.
You might be a Shared Owner and own 25% of the Shares in your property. If so then you are fully responsible for all repairs both internally and externally at your house. This includes your garden and anything else belonging to your leasehold. Although you might contribute towards a Service Charge, it won’t cover the upkeep of your house.
You might have to contribute towards the maintenance of open spaces. There’s sometimes green areas which aren’t gardens but are dotted around the estate where you live we might be responsible for maintaining those areas.
Your Service Charge will have a breakdown of what’s covered. Also if you’re a Leaseholder then you will normally contribute towards the building insurance.
Drains
Please refer to your Water Service Provider if you have any issues as normally you’ll be responsible for drains which serve your property.
Please check with us.
We’ll check to see what your Lease or Agreement says.
Reporting Repairs
If your agreement is with PA Housing then please report a communal repairs to us. Even if there’s a Third Party Managing Agent responsible for the common parts, you must come through to us directly. We’ll then notify the Managing Agent if it is their responsibility.
Ventilation systems
You’re responsible to maintain these. It is important for residents to keep their properties are well ventilated as possible where there’s moisture in the air. This is to help mitigate condensation damp and mould.
You might have a parking space allocated to you. Although it might be allocated you, you must not make any change to it. Any physical change to it would be an alteration. You must seek out prior written approval beforehand.
Leaks
Sometimes leaks happen accidentally and unexpectedly. Any leak which comes from your property is your responsibility to fix. If it is affecting another property then it must be fixed as quickly as possible.
Residents are kindly reminded to keep their property, sanitaryware, boilers, washing machines, down services pipework within their property in good condition. Doing so can prevent leaks from happening.
You must keep your property in good condition and order at all times and ensure that you comply with health and safety.
Gas Supply Meter
You’re responsible but if it is located externally then PA might be responsible for bonding.
If there’s a Third Party Managing Agent they might be responsible for the Building Insurance
Also they might be responsible to maintaining the common parts.
Some resident start off as Shared Owners. Then once they own 100% they might take over PA’s interest in your property. They might then have to pay service charge directly to the Managing Agent.
But if your agreement is with PA Housing and remains with PA Housing then all communal repairs and maintenance should be reported to PA Housing directly.
We’ll then let the Managing Agent know.
This is a general guide, for a clear position please refer to your lease.
If it is still unclear in the lease then please do contact us and we can clarify the situation for you.
Owners are encouraged to take out contents insurance and any other insurance suitable for their circumstances and works.
Gas safety
As a home owner it is your responsibility to have your gas appliances checked and serviced every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
If your gas appliance has not been checked for 12 months it could become unsafe and you might be in breach of your lease.
Buildings Insurance
PA Housing is responsible for buildings insurance cover on leasehold and shared ownership properties under our management.
The insurance is provided as part of PA Housing’s block policy. Leaseholders can contact the insurer directly to make a claim under the buildings insurance cover.
You can request a copy of the Summary of Cover from us. If you require a copy of the full policy, we can send one to you a fee may be payable.
What is a Section 20 notice?
A Section 20 notice is issued by the landlord to the Leaseholders for one of two reasons; to notify tenants of their intention to carry out works; or to notify the tenants of their intention to enter into a long-term agreement for services at the property.
Selling and making changes to your lease
Find out how to make changes to your lease agreement including extending the lease and name change and information on selling, staircasing and remortgaging your home.
Learn more
