Notices and Consultations

We publish information here about formal consultations, long-term agreements, and major works that may affect your home or service charges.

We are required by law to consult leaseholders before entering into certain long-term contracts or carrying out major works. This is to make sure you’re informed and have the opportunity to provide feedback or nominate alternative contractors.

Use the sections below to view current consultations and to learn more about the consultation process.

Current consultations

Long-term agreement for external and internal block improvements (including retrofit and decarbonisation works)

What’s this consultation about?

We’re proposing to enter into a long-term agreement (over 12 months) for a wide range of external and internal block improvements, including retrofit and decarbonisation works. This consultation is required under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

The proposed works include:

Roofing and associated work
Wall insulation (external or cavity)
Renewable technologies such as solar PV or heat pumps
Internal and external block decoration
Groundworks like fencing, paths and retaining walls
Structural and safety improvements

These upgrades will help improve the comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainability of our homes, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and support the national drive to reduce carbon emissions.

Who would carry out the work?

We plan to appoint Lovell Partnerships Ltd through the Fusion21 Framework, a government-approved procurement route for public sector contracts. All contractors on the framework have passed strict checks on value, quality, and capability.

Because this is a public framework, leaseholders do not have the right to nominate alternative contractors for this agreement. However, you are still encouraged to give feedback on the proposals.

💬 Have your say

All leaseholders (and tenants affected by service charges) are invited to submit comments or questions before the deadline. These must be made in writing and sent to the following email address:

📩 Email: section20@gch.co.uk

You have 30 days to provide observations. We’ll review all feedback before confirming the agreement.

📄 Key documents

📥 Notice of Intention (PDF)
🌐 Tender contract for Fusion21 Decarbonisation Framework
📥 FAQs: Section 20 consultation – external and internal block improvements (PDF)

What happens next?

After the consultation period ends on 22 July 2025:

We’ll review all comments and respond where appropriate.
If we proceed, we’ll confirm the agreement with Lovell Partnerships Ltd.
Before any work starts, you’ll receive a Letter of Estimates explaining your contribution (if applicable).
You’ll then have a further 30 days to ask questions or raise concerns before any work begins.

I’m not a leaseholder or shared owner – why was I notified?

Tenants are being informed as a courtesy, as some service charges may include costs related to communal improvements. We want to be transparent about changes that could affect your home or charges and give you the opportunity to stay informed and involved.

Understanding the process

What is a Section 20 consultation?

A Section 20 consultation is a legal process that landlords like GCH must follow when we intend to:

Carry out major works (costing more than £250 per leaseholder), or
Enter into a long-term agreement (lasting more than 12 months and costing more than £100 per year per leaseholder)

This is required under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended). The law is designed to ensure that leaseholders are consulted before we commit to major contracts that may affect their service charges.

What types of work or services are included?

Consultation is required for things like:

Major repairs to roofs, walls, or windows
External decorations or communal upgrades
Long-term contracts for cleaning, grounds maintenance, or heating services
Energy efficiency or retrofit programmes
Safety improvements or structural works

You’ll always receive a formal notice when a consultation applies, with clear details about what’s planned.

What is a “Notice of Intention”?

A Notice of Intention is the first formal step in a Section 20 consultation. It outlines:

The type of work or service proposed
Why it’s needed
The estimated length of the agreement
Your rights to comment or nominate contractors (where applicable)
How to submit feedback

You usually have 30 days to respond with your observations or concerns.

Can I nominate a contractor?

In most cases, yes. If we are not using a government-approved procurement framework, leaseholders have the right to nominate an alternative contractor as part of the consultation process.

However, when we use a compliant public procurement framework (like Fusion21), we are not required to seek nominations. These frameworks are set up to ensure fair pricing and quality through rigorous vetting.

This approach is allowed under Schedule 1, Paragraph 5 of the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003.

How do I give feedback?

You’ll be told how to send your comments in the Notice of Intention. Typically, this means:

Sending an email or letter to the contact named in the notice
Submitting your observations within 30 days of the date on the notice

Your feedback can include support, concerns, questions or suggestions.

Will I be told how much I have to pay?

Yes. If works or a long-term agreement go ahead, and you are affected as a leaseholder, you will later receive a Letter of Estimates.

This includes:

A breakdown of the estimated costs
The amount that applies to your property
Information on how we calculated your share

You’ll also have another 30-day period to raise questions or concerns before the works begin.

What happens after the consultation?

Once the consultation period ends:

We review all observations and respond where necessary
We decide whether to proceed and confirm the contractor
A cost estimate is sent to leaseholders
Further communications follow before work begins

We’ll keep you informed throughout, and you will not be charged until proper notice and documentation have been issued.

I’m a tenant – does this apply to me?

Legally, Section 20 consultation only applies to leaseholders and shared owners.

However, if you’re a tenant and your service charge includes shared costs (like communal repairs or decorations), we may share this information with you as a matter of good practice. This helps:

Keep you informed about changes in your building
Explain how future service charges might be affected
Promote transparency and fairness

Need more detail?

Service Charges Explained

If you have any questions, contact us:
📧 section20@gch.co.uk