Leaseholder Panel - 6 November 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Attendees:
Leaseholder members – Ian, Barbara, Rachel, Graeme, Jeni, Paul, Susan
Toby Brown, Head of Housing Management, Angela Melvin, Housing Engagement Manager
Apologies: Leaseholder members – Dave, Bill
1. Introductions
Introductions were made and TB gave an overview of our current panel structure.
2. Communal block cleaning trial
North Tyneside Council is considering a trial of a communal block cleaning service for flats that have a shared communal entrance.
Residents are currently responsible for cleaning communal areas themselves, as outlined in the Tenancy Agreement, however we would like to increase resident satisfaction with communal areas and have had requests to provide a cleaning service. A regular cleaning service would help make sure communal areas are clean and well maintained.
Consultation was carried out during September and October 2025. A survey was hosted on the Our North Tyneside Voice website and our Neighbourhood Housing Officers hand delivered letters to all residents within our blocks to promote the consultation.
The majority of respondents are in favour of a cleaning service being provided, we now need to consider what could be included in that service (internally and externally) and the frequency of it.
The Cabinet Member for Housing will consider all the information and then a decision will be made. Residents in our communal blocks will be updated via a further letter in the new year, outlining the next steps. Any changes would not be introduced until the new financial year.
Two members of the group live in properties with communal areas and did respond to the survey. They asked about potential costs, as this was not covered in the initial letter. TB replied that we know some residents are happy to take turns to clean the areas rather than pay for a service to be provided, but we understand that not all residents take a turn to clean (sometimes this may be due to disability or being elderly), which can cause frustrations.
The aim of the survey was to gauge interest first, then review the different options which could be offered and how that would be paid for.
A panel member asked about contractual requirements of leaseholders and tenants, if the cleaning service doesn’t go ahead. TB responded that cleaning responsibility is clearly outlined in the Tenancy Agreement, and while enforcing it is challenging, that’s not to say we shouldn’t do something.
An update will be provided at the next panel meeting.
3. Leaseholder handbook review
The current handbook had been shared with the panel ahead of the meeting. The panel was asked for their views on the document in terms of how easy it was to understand; and its content – was there anything not included which they think would be helpful for leaseholders to know.
Some of the group couldn’t recall having seen it before, some general comments were made:
- Nice to see all the information in one place
- Good to see the responsibilities of each party, like the commitment about what the council is obliged to do
- How does the council measure if it is actually achieving the ‘first class, efficient maintenance service’ referred to? Additional detail on that would be good to include as there are some issues around service
- Visually, it looks good and is clear. In some sections, we have telephone number or email address, they could be highlighted
- The health and safety section gets a bit lost and needs to be highlighted more, this is an important section
- Some of the phone numbers in the text aren’t in the useful numbers section
- The fire risk assessment is not mentioned in the responsibilities section, that’s really important
- A panel member asked about the section relating to when you want to sell your property – it doesn’t state that the council should be given first refusal before going to the open market. TB replied that the council is automatically notified by the seller’s solicitor, however we wouldn’t look to block a sale if already in process. That could be made clearer though, perhaps via a FAQ page
TB mentioned our team of Neighbourhood Housing Officers, who all have allocated areas, carry out regular estate walkabouts and block inspections, and are a first point of contact for all leaseholders – regardless of whether or not they live in a communal block. Neighbourhood Housing Officer contact details can be found on the Our North Tyneside Voice website: https://haveyoursay.northtyneside.gov.uk/estate-walkabouts
The panel was thanked for all their comments, any final thoughts should be sent to AM by Wednesday 12 November.
4. Environmental Crime and Anti-social Behaviour Policy
One Estates and Communities Panel covers matters to do with our neighbourhoods, including environmental and community protection issues. (While this is a panel initially set up for council tenants, it is open to leaseholders to join too as the agenda is based on communities rather than tenancy alone.)
At its November meeting, the Estate and Communities Panel will be reviewing a draft of this revised policy, ahead of it being shared on our engagement website for wider comment. AM will share the same draft with the Leaseholder Panel next week.
The current timescales is for the revised policy to go through the formal approval process early in 2026.
5. Neighbourhood promise and service standards
These items are also being taken to this month’s Estates and Communities Panel and will be shared with this panel too.
The service standards include repairs, environmental maintenance, community protection and enquiry response times. We want to be more transparent on the levels of service residents can expect from us.
Leaseholder feedback around whether the standards are realistic and reasonable would be welcome. AM will share the documents with the group.
6. Any other business
The group asked some general questions:
- Can we access our planned programme for the next few years? TB replied that we appreciate leaseholders do need to plan for future costs, or if considering selling. He will check with repairs where it currently is and whether it can be shared.
- Do we need to be mindful of the licensing issue which has recently affected the Chancellor letting out her property? TB will clarify this, it’s likely to usually be more around the type of mortgage you have and the lender’s requirement; or a question relating to tax. We have a licensing system for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO), but are not currently proactively looking to do this more widely. We do ask that leaseholders let us know if they are letting out the property.
Feedback from the group was that the meeting time of early evening, via Teams, was convenient.
There was some discussion on the frequency of meetings, AM will schedule the next one in for February, which links in with the timescales for our other panels.