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Example Section 20 notices for private sector landlords

Example notice of intention to carry out works under a long-term agreement

In this guide

NB – A notice of the intention must be sent to each leaseholder and RTA (if there is one).

To: (name and correspondence address of tenant) and/or: (name of RTA)

  1. It is the intention of (insert name of landlord or manager) to carry out works under an existing long-term agreement previously consulted upon (or an agreement entered into before 31st October 2003) with (insert name of contractor) in respect of which we are required to consult leaseholders (see Note 1 below).
  2. The works to be carried out under the agreement are as follows (insert a description of the proposed works)
    or
  3. A description of the works to be carried out under the agreement may be inspected at (insert place and hours for inspection) (see Note 2 below).
  4. We consider it necessary to carry out the works because (insert statement of reasons).
  5. We estimate the total amount of the expenditure likely to be incurred on and in connection with the proposed works as: (insert estimated figure).
  6. We invite you to make written observations in relation to the proposed works or estimated expenditure by sending them to: (address of landlord or manager).

Observations must be received within the consultation period of 30 days from the date of receipt of this notice. The consultation period will end on: (insert date of not less than 30 days from the date that the notice is given to the recipient) (see Note 3 below).

Signed:

(Signature of person giving the notice. Where an agent signs, insert also ‘duly authorised agent of (name of landlord or manager)’.)

Address: (Give the address to which future communications relating to the subject matter of the notice should be sent.)

Notes

  1. Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended) provides that a landlord (as defined by section 30 of the 1985 Act) must consult leaseholders who are required under the terms of their leases to contribute (by payment of service charges) to costs incurred under qualifying works, where the contribution of any one tenant will exceed £250. ‘Qualifying works’ are defined by section 20ZA of the 1985 Act.
  2. Where a notice specifies a place and hours for inspection:
    1. the place and hours so specified must be reasonable; and
    2. a description of the proposed works must be available for inspection, free of charge, at that place and during those hours. If facilities to enable copies to be taken are not made available at the times at which the description may be inspected, the landlord shall provide to any leaseholder, on request and free of charge, a copy of the description.
  3. The landlord has a duty to have regard to written observations made within the consultation period by any leaseholder or RTA (as defined by section 29 of the 1985 Act). The landlord is also required to state his response in writing to the person making written observations within the consultation period, within 21 days of receiving them.
Last updated:
1 December 2021
Next review:
19 December 2026

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