Great Eastern Enterprise
Block D
3 Millharbour
London
E14 9XP
Tel 020 7364 7034
Fax 020 7364 7111
Email maureen.mceleney@towerhamlets.gov.uk

www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

Thank you for your letter of 12 March 2004 regarding leaseholders restrictions from major works costs. I do understand the concerns that many residents have regarding this and we are doing our best to address these in the detailed discussions we are having with all the Housing Associations involved in Housing Choice on the policy framework.

The revisions to the policy were developed in response to guidance we received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that a mandatory cap would not be applied in respect of any stock transfer and that any discretionary policy that was applied needed to be in accordance with the discretionary regulations provided by Government. The revised policy framework complies with this requirement.

I therefore need to confirm that it would not be possible from the Council to reconsider this policy unless Government regulations are changed. We have however introduced some additional protections for leaseholders within the new policy framework to cover exceptional and extensive work and we are currently working with the Housing Associations involved in Housing Choice to provide guidance on the nature of works to which this would apply.

I confirm that I would be happy to attend your steering group meeting to discuss this and look forward to meeting you on the 6 April 2004.

Yours sincerely

Maureen McEleney
Director of Housing Management