Written question asked by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 March 2007. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 March 2007 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Landlord and Tenant: Fees and Charges

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance her Department has issued on the types of services incurring service charges on which freeholders will be obliged to consult residents and leaseholders following the implementation of the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.Communities and Local Government is responsible for the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003. Guidance on the types of long term agreements which a landlord is obliged to consult upon under these regulations is available in the Departments' booklet, ““Long Leaseholders—A Guide to Your Rights and Responsibilities””. This briefly explains the service charges consultation process itself and includes examples of the types of agreements that would need to be consulted upon where they exceeded 12 months.The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), an Executive non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department, has also issued more detailed guidance on the consultation process and describes some types of long term agreements which a landlord is obliged to consult upon. LEASE can also give free advice on this and other service charge issues.

Secondary information