Responding to Section 20 consultation on major works and long-term agreements
Responding to a statement of estimates or notice of proposals
What it is
After reviewing the responses to the notice of intention, the landlord will get estimates or proposals from contractors for the work or services.
They will then send a statement of estimates (also called a landlord’s contract statement) for major works, or a notice of landlord’s proposals for long-term agreements, to each leaseholder, and any recognised tenants’ association if there is one.
The notice must:
- give details of at least 2 estimates for the work or proposals for the long-term agreement
- give details of the contractors and any connection they have with the landlord
- include an estimate of how much you’ll need to pay, if possible
- include a summary of the comments on the notice of intention (observations), and the landlord’s response
- state that you have 30 days to make written observations on the estimates or proposals, tell you where to send them, and give the deadline
The estimates must include:
- at least one estimate from a contractor that is not connected to the landlord – for example if the landlord and the contractor are companies, they must not share any directors or have directors who are close relatives
- at least one estimate from a contractor nominated by leaseholders or a recognised tenants’ association, if there were any nominations
The notice must include copies of the estimates, or give a reasonable place and time when you can inspect them and take copies.
If you have a public sector landlord
The requirements for the notice are different if you have a public sector landlord and they need to advertise the contract by giving a public notice.
They do not need to provide at least 2 estimates or proposals. They’ll send a statement of the proposed contract (for major work) or a notice of the proposal (for a long-term agreement).
This must include:
- the details of the proposed contractor, and any connection with the landlord
- an estimate of how much you’ll need to pay, if possible
- a summary of the comments on the notice of intention (observations), and the landlord’s response
- the proposal or contract statement, or details of a reasonable place and time where you can see it
- a statement that you have 30 days to make written observations on the estimates or proposals, and tell you where to send them, and the deadline
Examples
See an example for private sector landlords of:
See an example for public sector landlords of:
- a notice of estimates for proposed work where public notice is not needed
- a contract statement for proposed work where public notice is needed
- a notice of proposals to enter into a long-term agreement where public notice is not needed
- a notice of proposals to enter into a long-term agreement where public notice is needed
How you can respond
You have 30 days from the date of the notice of estimates or proposals to reply in writing with your comments (observations).
For example you could comment on the cost of the estimates, or on the proposed contractors.
What happens next
Your landlord must consider all the comments they receive. They do not have to reply to you individually, but they must give a summary of the comments and their response as part of the next stage.
They will then choose the contractor to do the work or services.
- Last updated:
- 23 December 2025
- Next review:
- 23 December 2027
Related content
Options if your landlord does not follow the Section 20 rules on consulting about major works
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Topic - Costs and charges