Leaseholders
Detailed information for Council leaseholders.
Lewes District Council leaseholders
Buildings Insurance
Here are the details for your building's insurance policy:
- Insurer: Aspen Insurance UK Limited, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BD
- Insurer Phone: 020 7184 8000
- Insurer Website: www.aspen.com
- Policy Number: N0AJ8LK250T
- Policy Period: April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026 (a copy of the policy is available in the 'Downloads' section below)
- Claims Phone: 0800 358 0172
- Claims Email: aspen-insurance@uk.sedgwick.com
- Standard Excess: £300
- Subsidence Excess: £1,000
It is your responsibility, as a Leaseholder, to inform the insurers and leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk if you are going to be absent from the property, or if the property is not going to be occupied for its intended purpose, for more than 30 consecutive days. If you do not, then the insurance and any claim may not be valid.
General buildings insurance policy queries may be directed to Matthew Britnell, Insurance Officer: matthew.britnell@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Please note: This policy covers the structure of your home, but it does not include cover for your contents (like furniture and personal belongings). It also may not cover some additional risks if you let your property.
Future of the Policy: The current buildings insurance contract ends on 31 March 2027. In autumn 2026, we'll decide if it's best to extend the contract with Aspen (they may decline) or find a new provider. If we look for a new contract, we will consult with leaseholders as usual.
Contents Insurance
We strongly recommend all leaseholders get contents insurance. You can choose any insurer, but you might want to consider the council's tenants' contents insurance scheme, which leaseholders can also use. We cannot offer specific advice on contents or other insurances.
Service Charges
We bill advanced maintenance charges (also called 'interim charges') twice a year: on 1 April and 1 October.
At the end of the year (the 'accounting period'), we calculate the total costs and divide them among all flats based on their rateable value. We then deduct any payments you've already made from your advanced maintenance charges. You'll receive a final invoice showing either an additional charge you need to pay or a refund if you've overpaid.
We usually produce the year-end accounts in October, but we must send them within 18 months of the first advanced maintenance charge. These accounts will include the actual costs of any major works carried out.
Management fees
Your management fee is calculated based on a few factors, including major works:
- A flat rate of £45 per property per year.
- Plus 15% of your actual service charge (this is on top of the £45 flat rate).
- The total management fee is capped at £150 per property per year.
Miscellaneous charges
We are currently reviewing our Leasehold Fee Schedule. If you need to know about any specific charges, please email us at Leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Future Repairs Reserve Fund Scheme
Currently, Lewes Leaseholders pay a small, fixed amount towards future building repairs. We're reviewing these charges as this isn't considered the best approach. We'll consult leaseholders and ask for your feedback before introducing any new proposals.
Payment terms
- Service Charge Invoices: Half is due on 1 April, and the other half on 1 October.
- Direct Debit: If you pay by Direct Debit, your service charges will be split into 12 equal monthly payments.
Important: Not all leases are the same. Please check your own lease for your specific payment terms.
If you have any trouble paying your leasehold accounts, please email our team at leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Payment methods
You'll find all payment methods listed on your Service Charge invoices and statements. Please remember to use your unique payment reference number when making a payment.
- Direct debit
- Standing order
- Cheque
- Telephone payment
- Payment card
Pay your leaseholder service charges
Block repair and re-decoration programme
You can report any block repairs through our Request a repair service.
For emergencies, please call our repairs services immediately on 01273 471600 (option 2, then option 2).
Only the registered leaseholder can report block repairs, except in emergencies.
To find out about any planned Major Works for your building, please email leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Before any Major Works begin, we will send you a Section 20 Consultation notice. This gives you a chance to comment during the consultation period.
Service improvement plans
Information on our service improvement plans will be available here soon.
Property alterations
You must get written permission from us before making any alterations to your property. Please use the 'Permission for Alterations form' available in the 'Downloads' section below.
It's also your responsibility to check if you need Planning or Building Control Approval and to provide proof if it's not needed. Even if you get Planning or Building Control approval, you still need to get freehold permission as per your lease agreement. Our Alterations form also details any application fees.
Windows
As a Lewes District Council Leaseholder, you are responsible for repairing or replacing your own windows, as stated in your lease. Before replacing your windows, you must get freeholder permission by completing the Alterations form. If you have any questions, please contact us at leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Sub-letting
You are allowed to let your Lewes District Council leasehold property, but we will need your forwarding address.
You are responsible for your tenants' actions, so make sure they follow the terms of your lease. If the lease is broken by you or your tenants, you could lose your property and forfeit your lease.
You remain responsible for paying the service charge, and invoices will be sent to your forwarding address.
Eastbourne Borough Council leaseholders
Buildings Insurance
The building insurance policy details are as follows:
- Insurer: Aspen Insurance UK Limited, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BD
- Insurer phone: 020 7184 8000
- Insurer website: www.aspen.com
- Policy number: N0AH9GV23A0R
- Policy period: 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 (a copy of the policy is available in the 'Downloads' section below)
- Claims phone: 0800 358 0172
- Claims email: aspen-insurance@uk.sedgwick.com
- Standard excess: £250
- Subsidence excess: £1,000
It is your responsibility, as a Leaseholder, to inform the insurers and leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk if you are going to be absent from the property, or if the property is not going to be occupied for its intended purpose, for more than 30 consecutive days. If you do not, then the insurance and any claim may not be valid.
General buildings insurance policy queries may be directed to Matthew Britnell, Insurance Officer: matthew.britnell@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Please note: This policy covers the structure of your home, but it does not include cover for your contents (like furniture and personal belongings). It also may not cover some additional risks if you let your property.
Future of the Policy: The current buildings insurance contract ends on 31 March 2026. In autumn 2025, we'll decide if it's best to extend the contract with Aspen (they may decline) or find a new provider. If we look for a new contract, we will consult with leaseholders as usual.
Contents Insurance
We strongly recommend all leaseholders get contents insurance. You can choose any insurer, but you might want to consider the council's tenants' contents insurance scheme, which leaseholders can also use. We cannot offer specific advice on contents or other insurances.
Service charges
We send out estimated service charge invoices every year on 1 April. This estimate is based on the average actual costs from the last five years (where available), adjusted for inflation and any expected cost changes. If major works are planned, their estimated cost will also be included in your service charges, as per your lease.
You will receive a second invoice on 1 October. This invoice will compare the actual costs with your estimated service charge for the previous financial year. It will show either an additional charge you need to pay or a refund if you've overpaid.
Management fees
Your management fee is a percentage of your service charge (excluding insurance and ground rent):
- 15% for the general service charge.
- 5% for major works.
Miscellaneous charges
We are currently reviewing our Leasehold Fee Schedule. If you need to know about any specific charges, please email us at leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Payment terms
- Service Charge Invoices: Half is due on 1 April, and the remainder on 1 October.
- Direct Debit: If you pay by Direct Debit, your service charges will be split into 12 equal monthly payments.
Important: Not all leases are the same. Please check your own lease for your specific payment terms.
If you have any trouble paying your leasehold accounts, please email our team at leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Payment methods
You'll find all payment methods listed on your Service Charge invoices and statements. Please remember to use your unique payment reference number when making a payment.
- Direct Debit
- Standing order
- Cheque
- Telephone payment
Pay your leaseholder service charges
We ask you to pay your service charges within 28 days of your invoice unless you've made a prior arrangement with us. If you have problems paying any of your charges you should contact the council immediately.
Block repair and re-decoration programme
You can report any block repairs through our Request a repair service.
For emergencies, please call our repairs services immediately on 01323 410000 (option 2, then option 2).
Only the registered leaseholder can report block repairs, except in emergencies.
To find out about any planned Major Works for your building, please email leasehold@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.
Before any Major Works begin, we will send you a Section 20 Consultation notice. This gives you a chance to comment during the consultation period.
Leasehold panel
We have a voluntary leasehold panel that meet quarterly in which represents the interest of Eastbourne Borough Council leaseholders.
Vacancies on the Leaseholder Panel will be advertised to Eastbourne Borough Council leaseholders on our website.
Property alterations
You must get written permission from us before making any alterations to your property. Please use the 'permission for alterations form' available in the 'Downloads' section below.
It's also your responsibility to check if you need Planning or Building Control Approval and to provide proof if it's not needed. Even if you get Planning or Building Control approval, you still need to obtain freehold permission as per your lease agreement. Our Alterations form also details any application fees.
Sub-letting
You are allowed to let your Eastbourne Borough Council leasehold property, but we will need your forwarding address.
You are responsible for your tenants' actions, so make sure they follow the terms of your lease. If the lease is broken by you or your tenants, you could lose your property and forfeit your lease.
You remain responsible for paying the service charge, and invoices will be sent to your forwarding address.
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