New online portal coming soon

Over the next few months, we will be working on putting in a place a new online portal, through which you will be able to manage your service charge account. Our aim is for you to be able to view your account in detail, see individual account transactions, a breakdown of costs and the associated documentation, as well as the ability to make online payments. We have been putting together the user requirements for the system and have included many of the features that you have told us you'd like to see in the past through the Lambeth 500+ and at the Homeowners Assembly. Once we have identified the software that we want to use, we will give an online demonstration to homeowners involved in the Lambeth 500+.

Get your questions answered using our live online chat

You can now get help from us directly through our online chat function, which can be accessed on our website. At the bottom right of the window you’ll see a round chat icon. Simply click on the icon, choose the department you wish to speak to from the drop down menu, and enter your details. Click ‘start chat’ and you’ll be connected directly to one of our staff members who can help with your queries.

Civic Centre appointments available

As well as being able to get help online, we continue to have our appointment service at the new Civic Centre in Brixton. It enables you to get face-to-face advice on the right to buy, service charges and other queries from members of our customer services and collections teams.  Well over 300 homeowners have already benefited from appointments since the Civic Centre opened. You can book an appointment using the online booking service. It’s open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at the Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, SW2 1EG. You will need to bring ID with you, as well as any documentation that is relevant to your issue.

Join the Lambeth 500+

The Lambeth 500+ is our online platform for residents to have their say on our policies and procedures in the service areas that interest them. Currently homeowner members are being asked about the live support chat and the 'report a repair' form. All residents are welcome to join, and you can be as involved in different topics as you like. 

Join the Lambeth 500+.

2017/2018 actual costs

We are currently calculating the 2017/18 ‘actual’ costs – the money actually spent on services during the period April 2017 to March 2018. This involves looking at all the costs incurred through maintenance and repair, checking them for accuracy, and apportioning them by block and estate.

The 2017/2018 actual service charge invoice will be issued to you in September 2018. If the amount spent on day-to-day service charges was greater than the estimate you received in 2017, we’ll issue an invoice for the difference, and if the amount spent was less than the estimate, we’ll issue a credit to your account.

Homeowners Assembly

On 5 July, we held our first Homeowners Assembly with members of our staff and homeowners from across the borough taking part. Staff from the Leasehold Advisory Service gave a session on service charges, enfranchisement and lease extensions. The ideas from homeowners that came through during the discussions will help to shape how we develop our service to you over the coming months. Some of the areas we are looking at off the back of the workshop discussions are: The wording and layout of the statements needs to be improved Issue statements with actuals or estimates - cost dependent Invoices and statements should be available online Photographic evidence of communal repairs be available online View what repairs have been raised online to prevent duplication More timely responses Webinars/videos/live streams could be useful Homeowners to be involved in testing the new online portal.

Council saves money for leaseholders through new buildings insurance contract

Lambeth Council leaseholders will save an average of 16% on their building insurance premiums this year compared to 2017/18, after the council has negotiated a more competitive contract through its involvement in the Insurance London Consortium (ILC).

Since 2009 the council has procured its leasehold building insurance contract through an exercise led by the ILC. The ILC is made up of nine London local authorities, including Lambeth, and it looks to secure the most competitive terms and conditions by using their combined bargaining strength. 

As a result of the new deal, Lambeth’s homeowners will save around 16% on average; with studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homeowners saving 18% and three-bedroom and larger homeowners saving 14%. 

You can find out more about your buildings insurance on the leaseholder’s insurance guide section of our website.

Government consultation on private sector rentals

For those homeowners who are also landlords, central government is presently carrying out a consultation on the benefits of offering longer tenancies within the private rented sector. The consultation runs until 26 August 2018. You can find more details and respond to the consultation by visiting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government website.

Find out more information and respond to the consultation.

HMO licensing changes coming into force

From 1 October 2018 the government is changing the rules around the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

One or two storey properties which house five or more people in two or more separate households will now be subject to mandatory HMO licensing, including the national minimum sizes for rooms used as sleeping accommodation. As previously, licensing will be handled by local authorities, and the government has produced guidance for local authorities on the changes.

Garages available to rent

You can rent a garage from us for as little as £22.50 per week. We have garages available in SE5, SW16, SE27 and SE19.  To rent one, you can either apply online, email us or give us a ring on 020 7926 6385 or 020 7926 6950.