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Plymouth Community Homes News Issue 13 (1.3mb)

Plymouth Community Homes News Issue 13 (1.3mb)

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Leaseholders PCH <strong>News</strong><br />

Call us on 0800 694 3101<br />

Leaseholders<br />

Many leaseholders will have recently received an invoice to pay for<br />

responsive repairs that have been carried out to their blocks<br />

or properties.<br />

A number of our newer leaseholders have<br />

asked why they received this invoice and<br />

also why it was sent for payment at the<br />

end of September.<br />

We would like to explain the rationale<br />

behind these invoices.<br />

As freeholder, <strong>Plymouth</strong> <strong>Community</strong><br />

<strong>Homes</strong> is responsible for maintaining what<br />

our leases describe as the ‘Reserved<br />

Property’. This generally comprises those<br />

parts of the block or half-house flat that<br />

are outside the individual flats. It will<br />

usually cover communal areas and also<br />

the roof, foundations and those parts of<br />

the surrounding areas which support the<br />

property. As the wording in some leases<br />

is slightly different to that in others, what<br />

comprises the ‘Reserved Property’ may<br />

vary slightly from property to property.<br />

Responsive repairs tend to be smaller<br />

repairs that can be carried out relatively<br />

quickly as opposed to major work invoices<br />

which are usually for amounts over<br />

£250. These could be for such items as<br />

the installation of a new roof or external<br />

decoration for example.<br />

If any repairs are carried out to that part of<br />

the property, all leaseholders who have a<br />

stake in it are required to pay a proportion<br />

of the total cost. This is an obligation<br />

which is included in all leases.<br />

At the time that the city council owned<br />

the freehold, a charge for this used<br />

to be included on the annual service<br />

charge invoice that was sent out in April.<br />

However, the problem with doing it that<br />

way was that very little information was<br />

provided about the repairs that were<br />

being recharged for. As a result many<br />

leaseholders asked the council to change<br />

the way in which invoices for this were<br />

sent out.<br />

In 2003, the repairs charges were taken<br />

off the annual service charge invoice and<br />

a separate invoice was sent for responsive<br />

repairs. It was agreed to keep this new<br />

annual invoice as far apart as possible<br />

from the service charge invoice and to<br />

do this, an annual date of 30 September<br />

was agreed. This method of billing for<br />

responsive repairs has been continued by<br />

PCH.<br />

All responsive repairs that are carried out<br />

in a financial year (1 April – 31 March) are<br />

detailed on a schedule for each property<br />

which includes the date that the repair was<br />

completed and also a brief description of<br />

the actual repair.<br />

The cost of all repairs is totalled and a<br />

proportion of the cost is charged to each<br />

leaseholder in the block. The proportion<br />

that each leaseholder is charged is<br />

detailed in the individual lease. For<br />

example, in a block of 10 flats each<br />

leaseholder would be charged 1/10th of<br />

the total cost.<br />

An administration charge of 15% is<br />

included on the invoice. This amount<br />

contributes towards the overall cost<br />

of providing the repairs service. This<br />

includes, for example, the cost of running<br />

the repairs call centre, supervision and<br />

management and general overheads such<br />

as travelling costs. We have to charge<br />

VAT on the amount of the administration<br />

charge.<br />

Invoices are not usually sent for very small<br />

amounts. Therefore, if the total amount<br />

of the responsive repairs for a property<br />

would mean that each leaseholder’s share<br />

was less than £10, no invoice will be sent<br />

for payment.<br />

Most leaseholders tend to pay these<br />

annual invoices promptly by making a<br />

single payment. However, this can be<br />

spread over a period by making regular<br />

monthly payments if preferred.<br />

<strong>Community</strong> transport service<br />

A community transport service for elderly and<br />

disabled residents is being trialled in the north of<br />

<strong>Plymouth</strong> until the end of this month.<br />

The Dial-a-Ride service, will offer return journeys to any<br />

destination within the trial area from just £3.<br />

A fully wheelchair-accessible minibus will run from 9.15am<br />

to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, and pick up passengers from<br />

their doorsteps. Bookings can be made up to a week in<br />

advance and will be accepted up to 2pm the day<br />

before travel.<br />

The service will cover an area from the A38<br />

northwards, including Tamerton Foliot, Estover,<br />

Ernesettle, Whitleigh, Southway, Derriford and Crownhill.<br />

If the trial is a success it may be extended to other parts<br />

of the city. To make a booking call Access <strong>Plymouth</strong> on<br />

01752 600633.<br />

Say cheese!<br />

<strong>Plymouth</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Homes</strong> is<br />

offering you and your family the<br />

opportunity to have your photo<br />

taken by an experienced,<br />

friendly photographer.<br />

As a thank you for taking part, a free<br />

copy of the photo will be posted to you,<br />

along with the option to have copies<br />

emailed as well so they can be stored<br />

on your computer or given to friends or<br />

family. Free transport will be provided.<br />

If you are interested, or would like to<br />

know more, then please contact the<br />

Communications team either via email<br />

at news@plymouthcommunityhomes.<br />

co.uk or by phone on 01752 388382.<br />

14

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