(This link will open in a new window)HOUSING SERVICES
Tel: 08450 450 051
Mon - Sat: 8.00am - 8.00pm (except Bank Holidays)
Fax: 01954 713148
Email: duty.housing@scambs.gov.uk
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Equity Share for the Elderly - REPAIRS
Background
This is an internal repair service to Council installations, fixtures and fittings including servicing and maintenance of central heating systems will be covered under the terms of a service charge agreement. Any leaseholder additions, alterations and installations, however, will generally be excluded from the service.
How much will it cost?
Can I opt out of the scheme?
How will I know the status of my account?
Are there any benefits to joining the scheme?
Frequently asked questions
Cost
How much will it cost?
A service charge is payable by any leaseholder wishing to take advantage of this scheme. The service charge payable by all leaseholders that wish to participate has been agreed at £150 for the first year.
The amount payable in future years for each individual leaseholder will be dependent on the number and cost of repairs actually carried out as the scheme is self-financing, in that the expenditure would be fully covered over the number of years a leaseholder remains within the scheme.
Example 1 Service charge paid in year one £150
Repairs carried out:
New sink unit
Heating service £300
Balance outstanding £150
Account total £300 £300
In this case, it is likely that the service charge payable by the leaseholder in this example would be £150 for the next year.
Example 2 Service charge paid in year one £150
Repairs carried out:
Broken toilet seat £25
Replacement heating system £2,500
Balance outstanding £2,375
Account total £2,525 £2,525
In this case, the leaseholder would probably be asked to pay a service charge of at least £575 in year two and at least that amount in years 3 to 5. The calculation would be based on recovering the costs over a five-year period.
Scheme
Can I opt out of the scheme?
It is the leaseholders choice as to whether to remain within the scheme. In the event of any leaseholder wishing to end their service charge agreement, they could do so by giving written notice, details of which would be set out in the written agreement. Alternatively, they would end the contract when their lease was surrendered back to the Council.
In either event, once the agreement is terminated a final account would be raised to cover any outstanding amounts on their service charge account, or a refund would be made if monies paid exceed the cost of repairs undertaken.
Account
How will I know the status of my account?
Each leaseholder will receive an annual statement showing the position of their account and their calculated service charge for the next year.
Benefits
Are there any benefits to joining the scheme?
The benefits of joining this scheme is that the leaseholder can report repairs to the Housing Department at these offices directly, or via their sheltered housing officer, which is how the Council tenants currently access their repairs service. Additionally, it will avoid the need to find a suitable contractor to carry out work and also due to the competitive way in which our response maintenance contract is awarded, prices should be some of the best obtainable in terms of cost and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I receive my bill and cannot afford to pay the whole sum?
You need to contact housing services to discuss the matter.
If I opt out of the scheme and due a refund, how will I receive the monies due?
You will be sent a cheque in the post.
If I change my kitchen units, heating system etc. will SCDC still repair them?
No, as these are classed as an alteration. You will need to make your own arrangements for repairs.
