Your Lease

Responsibility for delivering Leaseholder and Right to Buy Services has now passed from Tower Hamlets Council to Tower Hamlets Homes. The information requirements in relation to this service are therefore currently being reviewed.Meanwhile if you need help please contact us on the following telephone numbers. For Leaseholder Services and Right to Buy enquiries call  020 7364 0732.

Your lease tells you your responsibilities as a leaseholder of Tower Hamlets Council, and the council's responsibilities as the landlord.

Tower Hamlets Homes manages leasehold services for the council. Please read, download or print our Home Ownership service standards.

What is a lease

A lease is a contract between the leaseholder and the landlord (the council). It sets out the responsibilities of both parties, what the leaseholder has contracted to do, and what the landlord (the council) is bound to do.

As a leaseholder you pay service charges, major works and ground rent.

What are service charges?

Under the terms of your lease, you have to pay a contribution to the landlord's costs of providing a service or amenity to your block or estate. This is called a 'service charge'.

Service charges cover things like communal repairs, building insurance, lifts, lighting and cleaning of communal areas.

If you have a question about your service charges, including major works invoices, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team. They will try to sort out the problem.

Service charge queries
If we haven't been able to sort your problem out, and you want to make a complaint, there are a number of options available to you. Our Customers Services team will discuss these with you when you call. 

What is ground rent or rent charge?

Ground rent or rent charge is the amount you pay for the ground that your building stands on. The amount you have to pay, and when you have to pay it, is specified in your lease.

What are major works?

Major works are large repairs or improvements and cover things like repairing the structure of a building, refurbishing a lift or replacing a roof or windows.

If you have a question or want more information, please contact Home Ownership Customer Services Team on 020 7364 0732, email: homeownership@towerhamletshomes.org.uk or use our online enquiry form.