As a Dartford Borough Council leaseholder you have purchased the right to live in your property for a fixed number of years (usually 125). The Council is the freeholder and landlord of the block and estate, and you are the leaseholder of the property.
Your lease is the legal contract between you and the Council. It gives you and your successors the right of possession of your property, as long as you accept and adhere to the conditions in the lease.
If you have purchased your leasehold property on the open market by way of a deed transfer, please note that the outgoing leaseholder transfers not only the Lease itself but all liabilities as well, in their entirety.
Debit or credit balances which remain on the service charges account as at the date of transfer are automatically transferred over to the new lessee upon completion. The new lessee is responsible for paying all invoices which are issued on or after the date of transfer, irrespective of when the leasehold property was purchased – and these charges may relate to a period prior to the date of purchase.
The lessee also becomes immediately responsible for contributing towards any expenditure incurred by the Council for repairing and maintaining the block and estate their property is situated in during each financial year, in accordance with the Lease Agreement.
Please see the following documents which contain further information about your rights and responsibilities as lessee and the Council's responsibilities as landlord.
- About your lease
- Buying or acquiring a lease
- Management arrangements
- How to lease
- Help and advice
- Property alteration request form
- Preventing costly leaks within your home
- Major works and service charges policy
Paying your rent and service charges
When, how and where to pay your rent
Fire Safety in Communal Areas
Residents storing items in communal areas and landings, and within gas/electricity cupboards, put lives at risk. Please do not store any items in the communal areas