Leaseholder Information

What is a Leaseholder?

Leaseholders are people who are buying or have brought their Council flat from Darlington Borough Council, someone who has bought a flat from a leaseholder of Darlington Borough Council and takes over the lease or someone who inherits the lease in a will.

Leasehold ownership of a flat is simply a long term tenancy and the right to own a flat for the term of a lease.

What is a Freeholder?

Darlington Borough Council is the freeholder, as they own the building in which you live.

Darlington Borough Council manages the housing and is responsible for looking after the structure, exterior and common areas of the block.

If you are interested in buying your flat please contact Right to Buy on 01325 388542 for all the advice you need before applying and to request an application pack or email them customerservices@darlington.gov.uk

Estate Inspections

We hold regular estate inspections to make sure tenants and leaseholders can have their say on the area that they live in. Visit the Estate Inspections pages to find out more

Living with your neighbours

You have a right to the 'quiet enjoyment' of your flat, and your neighbours have the same right.

We will try to deal with people who cause a nuisance to you, but equally you must not cause a nuisance to them. Doing so may result in you losing your lease.

If you are experiencing nuisance, please contact Customer Services on 01325 388542 or customerservices@darlington.gov.uk

Pets

You mustn't keep a dog or a cat in a flat or a maisonette, unless it is a registered guide dog for a blind person or a registered hearing dog for a deaf person.

If you have been given permission to keep a suitable pet, you must make sure it's kept under control and doesn't disturb your neighbours. This is a condition of your lease. If your pet does cause a nuisance, we will ask you to control its behaviour or if this does not solve the problem, to find a new home for your pet.

Pet Policy [pdf document].

Leaseholder Handbook

Leaseholders Handbook [pdf document, 824kb]