Long-term contracts and major works
We want to be transparent about how we spend service charges and make sure leaseholders have a voice in important decisions.
When we enter into long-term contracts or plan major works on your building or estate, the law requires us to consult with you. This consultation gives you the chance to:
• understand what we’re proposing
• ask questions or raise concerns
• suggest contractors or alternatives
• give written feedback before we make a decision.
Below you’ll find an overview of the different types of consultation, what they mean and how you can get involved.
Qualifying long-term agreements (QLTAs)
A qualifying long-term agreement (QLTA) is a contract we make with a contractor or supplier that lasts for more than 12 months and costs more than £100 per leaseholder.
These agreements usually cover services we provide to your block or estate, such as cleaning, grounds maintenance and repairs.
Because the costs are shared through your service charges, the law requires us to consult you before we commit to these contracts.
This gives you the opportunity to provide feedback on the service, suggest contractors and raise any concerns.
If you’d like to share your feedback (legally referred to as observations), please email qlta@southernhousing.org.uk within 30 days of receiving your notice.
Alternatively, you can write to us at Section 20 Consultation Team, Southern Housing, Fleet House, 59-61 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5LA.
FAQs
For more details on the consultation process and if you're required to pay any money, please refer to the FAQs below.
No. Leaseholders are unable to opt out of a qualifying long-term agreement.
The first stage is a “Notice of Intention,” where we explain what works we intend to carry out and why. You can send us your observations during a 30-day period.
The second stage is a “Notice of Proposal,” where we tell you who we intend to appoint to carry out the service. Again, you have 30 days to send us your observations.
No. We must give you the opportunity to send observations, but you’re not required to. Please limit your observations to the subject of the consultation, as we’re unable to include unrelated matters in our response.
Not at this point. The consultation is only about us entering into an agreement for works or services to be carried out. No invoices or requests for money will be sent at this stage.
Charges vary depending on the works required for your property. When works are due to be carried out at your building, we’ll send you another Section 20 notice with more detail. You’ll also have the opportunity to provide observations on those proposed works.
Leaseholder consultation on major works
When we carry out major works to your building or estate, you may be required to contribute to the costs under your lease.
These may include work on:
• roofs
• lifts
• cyclical decorations
• windows
• heating systems
• refuse bin areas
• estate roads and footpaths
• guttering and pipes.
Major repairs also cover essential fire safety improvements, such as:
• installing or upgrading fire doors
• fitting smoke alarms
• installing sprinkler systems.
If your estimated contribution will be more than £250, we must consult you before going ahead.
You’ll receive a Section 20 notice of intention, which will include a description of the proposed works (in general terms), the reason for the works, and an estimate of what you will be charged. You then have 30 days to send us your feedback in writing.
We’ll make the final decision about whether to carry out the works, but we must take your observations into account before deciding.
If you’d like to share your feedback (legally referred to as observations), please email qlta@southernhousing.org.uk within 30 days of receiving your notice.
Alternatively, you can write to us at Section 20 Consultation Team, Southern Housing, Fleet House, 59-61 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5LA.
Section 20B notice
If we’re unable to send you a final invoice within 18 months of starting the work, we’ll issue a Section 20B notice.
This isn’t a bill. It’s a formal update to let you know that money has been spent on the work. Once the final account is ready, you’ll be asked to pay your share, as set out in your lease.