At least for privately owned flats, the management company / landlord has to serve a section 20 notice. it basically states the intention to tender major works, and then again, once quotes have been received, the landlord would send out the details to say which company will be undertaking the work and at what cost. I am not sure why it would be any different to ex-council flats? Basically, any major works which would cost the leaseholder ?250 or more in the year - the leaseholder would have to be consulted under section 20. May be worth looking into as to whether your girlfriend was consulted? Note that you also have the right to request further detail of the spend your girlfriend is being asked to pay. http://www.lease-advice.org/information/faqs/faq.asp?item=173 I am not a solicitor so may be wrong - but worth looking into the above. It definitely applies to leaseholders of private landlords.