Leaseholder charges 2024/2025

Administration Charge

Administration is based 10% of all items service charged. Administration is for the management of the services provided. Services covered by the 10% administration charge include, but are not limited to, the administration and management of the contract or service provided, and overheads associated with providing this service. Including preparing the charges and dealing with queries.

Asbestos Works

This is the cost for the removal or management of asbestos within the communal areas, internal and external.

Bin Chute Maintenance

This is to cover the cost of First Choice Homes Oldham keeping the areas safe and clear of rubbish. Removal of bulk waste, operative costs, and caged van attendance.

Bin Store maintenance

This is to cover the cost of First Choice Homes Oldham keeping the areas safe and in working order.

Building Maintenance

Covers the day to day of keeping the buildings sound, and its fixtures and fittings in a good state of repair (both outside and in shared areas). Will also include rubbish removal, pest control and graffiti removal where possible.

Building Maintenance – Caretaking

Caretakers are employees of First Choice Homes Oldham. They keep the communal and public areas clear of rubbish, report concerns on safety equipment such as emergency lighting, and fire alarms and ad-hoc maintenance.

Buildings Insurance/ Tax

This is the charge for the full 12 months and is renewed annually in April. Buildings insurance is arranged by First Choice Homes Oldham as it is required under the terms of the Lease. This is usually when the property is in a block of flats but is also the case where a property is owned on a Shared Ownership basis. A copy of your buildings insurance policy can be obtained from www.fcho.co.uk. The policy does not include contents insurance.

CCTV

Covers the costs of communal CCTV monitoring systems, servicing, and repairs.

Communal Cleaning

This is the cost to regularly clean the internal shared areas of a block.

Communal Electricity

This charge is for the electricity supplied for the power used in shared areas. It may include corridor lighting, security lighting outside, fire alarms, running a lift etc.

Communal Water & Sewage

Monitor and maintain, water mains network, communication pipes, end of pipework, and supply pipes that carry water from company pipework into the property, up until the first water fitting or stop-tap inside your property.

Communal Window Cleaning

This is the cost to clean the inside of lower floor communal windows four times a year. Some smaller blocks also have the exterior communal windows cleaned and are charged accordingly.

Communal Repairs

Rechargeable Repair/Works (internal and external repairs to shared areas). This charge is for most repairs undertaken to a block or blocks of properties and is rechargeable.

Digital TV

Installations, repairs, and maintenance of equipment including site inspection visits.

Door Entry/ Intercom System

Maintenance, repairs, and call outs. Does not cover the cost of replacement or additional fobs, these are chargeable to the individual property making the request.

Dry riser servicing

Maintenance, servicing and testing dry riser. The system allows fire fighters to easily access water from each individual floor of the building. It consists of a vertical pipe with a water inlet on ground level located on an external wall and outlets known as landing valves, which are usually located in a dry riser cabinet on each floor.

EICR Certification (Electrical Checks & Electrical Inspections)

Comprehensive periodic inspections (EICR), in accordance with BS7671 are carried out every five years. All these checks, under Health and Safety Regulations, are also for the safety of any visitors or third parties on-site.

Electrical repairs

This charge is for any electrical repairs arising from the electrical checks and ad-hoc responsive repairs notified by caretakers or customers.

Emergency Lighting

In accordance with BS5266 Part 8 of the Electrical Safety Regulations, it is a requirement to provide emergency lighting in emergency exits and escape routes in case of a lighting failure to ensure we are fully compliant in keeping occupants and employees safe. Monthly functional tests are carried out along with annual servicing and testing.

Estate Charge

The estate charge is not used to pay for the repair and maintenance of individual properties on the estate but is used to fund services that benefit the whole estate, such as maintenance of children’s play areas, the landscaping of gardens and the upkeep of the private roads.

Fire Detection and prevention, including Alarms and AOV’s (automatic opening vents)

Fire alarm systems are designed to provide early notification of a fire to help reduce the risk to both the building and the people. First Choice Homes Oldham undertake several activities for maintaining of fire alarm system to ensure it operates effectively in the event of a fire emergency. Depending on your building, there might be one or more of the fire detection and prevention activities needed and carried out by qualified engineers. Charges include maintenance of systems, repairs and call outs, includes a minimum of four tests per year.

Fire Door inspections and maintenance

Fire doors are integral to the fire safety of certain buildings. Regular inspections, maintenance and repairs are carried out to all fire doors within common areas. This may also include inspections to flat entrance doors where required.

Fire Risk Assessments

Where applicable Fire Risk Assessments are undertaken by competent persons to identify any potential fire risks associated with the building. Actions and outcomes highlighted are reviewed and addressed by First Choice Homes to mitigate any associated risks identified. Fire Risk Assessments will continue to be conducted at recommended intervals.

Fire Safety Inspection (twice a year)

Where applicable, fire safety inspections are carried out on a regular cycle to supplement the buildings Fire Risk Assessment. Actions and outcomes highlighted in the inspections are reviewed and addressed by First Choice Homes to mitigate any associated risks identified.

Gardening and Grounds Maintenance

Depending on your estate/scheme services provided will include the cost of a grounds maintenance service, the maintenance of hard landscaped areas and removal of bulk waste from unadopted roads or parking areas. For green landscaped areas as above plus any grass cutting and tree/shrubbery pruning.

Gate Entry

Visual checks, care of electrical components, routine servicing, repairs, and adjustment.

Jet Wash

High pressure wash of landings, shared access ways and stair ways.

Legionella Testing

The testing of water for Legionella within the building.

Lifts Servicing/ Repair/ Insurance

This charge covers service provided and includes the cost of any repairs and the monthly service inspections to make sure there are no major faults.

Lightning Protection

Lightning protection systems are used to prevent or lessen lightning strike damage to buildings. They protect the internal electrical components of a building, helping to prevent damage to electrical accessories, fires, and electrocution.

Rotary Dryers – (Common area)

Preventative maintenance for reliability and safety of your rotary dryers in communal settings.

Sprinkler service/ repairs

Cost of repairs and regular service inspections.

Ventilation Systems

Large scale filters and fans to extract and circulate air. Help to remove and manage humid air in areas within blocks and buildings. Is an important part of the controls in place for minimising mould and mildew.