Leaseholder Information
Key information for Brunswick leaseholders, including service charges, repairs, permissions, management standards and Section 20 consultation on major works. Provides direct access to the documents, policies and contacts that apply to leasehold homes.
Service Charges & Estate Costs
Leaseholders at the Brunswick contribute to the costs of running and maintaining the estate in accordance with the terms of their leases. This content offers a clear explanation of how Camden structures service charges, how costs are allocated across blocks and service areas, and what is typically included in the annual estimate and final account. It outlines the difference between day-to-day management charges, major cyclical works, communal utilities, and estate-wide contracts such as caretaking and security. Where relevant, it also highlights the long-standing complexities created by the mixed freehold/leasehold structure of the Brunswick and the impact this can have on recovering costs for certain shared elements.
Major Works, Section 20 & Long-Term Maintenance
This content sets out how Camden approaches major projects on the estate, including planned maintenance and improvement works. It explains the statutory consultation requirements under Section 20, how project notices are issued, and what leaseholders can expect during the different stages of a large programme. It describes how costs are calculated, the principles used for apportionment, and the role of Camden’s asset management planning. Examples drawn from recent Brunswick projects are included to give leaseholders a sense of scale, typical timeframes, and the types of documentation usually produced at each phase of a works programme.
Repairs: Leaseholder vs Camden Responsibilities
Because the Brunswick is a complex structure with unique construction details, understanding who is responsible for which repair is essential. This content summarises Camden’s obligations as landlord for structural, communal, and building-wide systems, and contrasts this with the leaseholder’s responsibilities inside the flat. It provides clear guidance on the typical boundaries: plumbing, waste pipes, internal fixtures, electrics, windows, and elements of the heating supply. It also outlines how to report repairs, what evidence may be needed, and how disputes are usually resolved when it is unclear whether an issue falls within the flat or the building.
Alterations, Permissions & Building Standards
Many leaseholders at the Brunswick wish to update or improve their homes, but most works require consent in line with the lease and building regulations. This content explains Camden’s approval process, the types of alterations that need permission, and the documentation normally requested before works can begin. It covers internal layout changes, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, ventilation, and any proposals that might affect structural or shared elements. It also notes the special considerations arising from the building’s layout, shared conduits, and original design features, along with the importance of commissioning suitably qualified contractors.
Windows, Doors & External Elements
Windows and external doors at the Brunswick are part of a wider and sometimes complex history of freeholder–Camden responsibilities. This content provides a straightforward overview of where liability usually sits, how replacements or repairs must be handled, and what standards apply when external elements are renewed. It highlights the requirement to maintain visual consistency across the estate, the need for appropriate permissions, and the role of Camden and the freeholder in approving any changes. It also signposts relevant policy documents and recent examples of replacement programmes undertaken on the estate.
Heating, Hot Water & Communal Systems
The estate has centralised plant that supplies heating and hot water to many homes, and this can lead to uncertainty about how responsibilities are divided and what service levels to expect. This content outlines how the communal systems operate, where Camden’s duties lie, and what leaseholders should do when service failures occur. It also explains typical reporting routes, access requirements for engineers, and the process Camden follows when diagnosing system-wide issues. The aim is to give leaseholders a clear understanding of how communal systems fit into the broader estate infrastructure and where their own responsibilities begin and end.
Fire Safety, Access & Key Lease Conditions
This content brings together the main statutory requirements and practical obligations affecting leaseholders. It covers fire-door standards, communal escape routes, inspection access, and Camden’s duties as landlord to undertake regular checks. It also summarises key lease conditions that commonly arise in day-to-day management, including restrictions on obstructions, storage, flooring, and noise. The content is intended to help leaseholders understand what must be complied with as part of both national safety regulations and the specific terms of a Brunswick lease.
Freeholder/Camden Responsibilities, Lease Extensions & Future Lease Reform
The Brunswick has long been shaped by the relationship between the private freeholder and Camden, and there is a history of disputes and legal clarification about which party is responsible for certain areas of the building. This content provides an accessible overview of that background, including references to past litigation and its practical implications for leaseholders. It also outlines the process for extending a lease or purchasing the freehold interest in accordance with statutory rights. Finally, it notes the current direction of national policy, where leasehold reform has been signalled by government, and what future changes might mean for long leaseholders on the estate.
Camden Leaseholder Guide
A direct link to Camden’s main leaseholder handbook, covering service charges, responsibilities, major works, and statutory rights →
Lease Extensions & Enfranchisement
Government guidance explaining how lease extensions work, what statutory rights apply, and current national reform proposals →
runswick-specific reference material, including historic tribunal decisions, formal correspondence, service-charge methodology papers, and background documents that sit behind the issues summarised on this page →
On this page
Service Charges & Estate Costs →
Major Works, Section 20 & Long-Term Maintenance →
Repairs: Leaseholder vs Camden Responsibilities →
Alterations, Permissions & Building Standards →
Windows, Doors & External Elements →
Heating, Hot Water & Communal Systems →
Fire Safety, Access & Key Lease Conditions →
Freeholder/Camden Responsibilities, Lease Extensions & Future Lease Reform →