Westminster Council Leaseholder Reports 12-Year Roof Leak

Housing Disrepair Helpline visited a leasehold property this year where Westminster Council is identified as the freeholder, following reports of an extremely longstanding roof leak.

The property is a top-floor flat and the assessment records water entering from the flat roof above, resulting in water damage, damp and damaged plasterwork.

The problem is reported to date back to approximately 2014.

The leaseholder says he has repeatedly complained to Westminster Council, with the assessment estimating that more than 100 contacts have been made about the problem.

Multiple visual inspections have reportedly taken place, but the assessment records that the necessary internal and external works had not resolved the problem.

The leaseholder also reports financial consequences from the recurring disrepair, including tenants leaving the property.

Housing Disrepair Helpline is now assisting and the process of getting the home fixed is underway.

Because the reported source of the problem is the flat roof above the property, the repairing responsibilities of Westminster Council under the lease will be particularly relevant.

Housing Disrepair Helpline Helps Leaseholders

Housing Disrepair Helpline does not only help council and housing association tenants. We also help leaseholders experiencing serious disrepair where responsibility for repairs may rest with their freeholder or managing party.

Leaseholder disrepair cases can be more complicated than standard tenancy disrepair claims because responsibility for roofs, windows, external walls, communal pipework, structural elements, drainage, communal areas and other parts of a building may depend upon the terms of the lease.

Housing Disrepair Helpline works with a panel of firms that are highly experienced in leaseholder claims. This is particularly important where the source of disrepair is outside the leaseholder’s individual flat.

Our panel’s experience means that the circumstances of the case and terms of the lease can be considered when determining responsibility for the outstanding repairs.

If you are a leaseholder and have repeatedly reported a repair problem to your freeholder but the problem has not been resolved, Housing Disrepair Helpline can help you understand the options available to you and the process of getting the necessary repairs carried out.

Housing Disrepair Helpline helps both tenants and leaseholders with housing disrepair problems.