Southwark Council leaseholders new front door

[VOXPOP]

We have just been told that Southwark council have changed the regulations regarding the purchase and installation of new front doors for leaseholders. If leaseholds require a new front door they must be purchased from and installed by a sole contractor designated by Southwark. The cost is nearly 2k and there appears to be no choice of design or style. The doors are windowless. We are very concerned about the way this has been managed with no consultation. The cost is obscenely high - a door that meets the same fire safety and security specs, indeed higher specs, can be found independently at half the price. Has anyone else heard about this?

[PeckhamRose]

I would write to Leaseholders Citizens Advice Bureau for advice. They are at 8 Market Square on the Southwark Park Road. This situation sounds NUTS! I get that any council feels responsible for its own leaseholders safety and so on, but this is madness. Fight fight fight.

[VOXPOP]

Thanks PeckhamRose. It is NUTS! I will certainly contact the bureau.

[spider69]

Would the Council have to issue a section 20 notice and all the prior notifications and consultation period.

Even Major Works over ?250 per flat would need a tender process.

What if the block consists of only 6 flats? where a section 20 would have to be issued as the cost would be more than ?250.

[PeckhamRose]

s20 notices are for when they want to affect us. The OP wants to get herself a new door. I don't think it's relevant in this case.

[VOXPOP]

My thoughts exactly spider69. There was no section 20 notice. The front doors are not compulsory at the moment. But if and when leaseholders want/need a new front door, we are being told the new regs now stand. I have asked these same questions to our local housing rep, waiting for a response...

[OSheppard]

Hi Voxpop, this does sound bizarre! I'm a reporter from Southwark News. Just wondering if you might be interested in speaking to us about this? Feel free to message me on [email protected]. Many thanks.

[bobbsy]

Can you not just buy a new door, have it installed, and tell no-one?

[VOXPOP]

I guess... It had crossed my mind. I'm usually one for playing by the rules and I don't want a charge from the council looming over me in the future...

[James Barber]

Hi VOXPOP,

Please email me direct we'll try and get such a daft policy changed. Typical Southwark Council sledgehammer.