Decision details

Approval of policy for sale of roof voids above leasehold properties.

This Item was chaired by Councillor Todd-Jones in the absence of the Tenant/Leaseholder Vice Chair

Matter for Decision

This update report looked at the issues that had arisen following the decision in March 2011 by the Housing Management Board to agree to the potential sale of roof voids to leaseholders.  The report proposed reversing the decision to prevent the future sale of roof voids.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Approved the continued exclusion of the roof void from the Right to Buy sale of leasehold flats.

    ii.        Approved the recommendation to no longer agree to the sale of roof voids to leaseholders.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Estates & Facilities.

The Committee welcomed the report.

The Head of Estates & Facilities stated the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        Very few roof voids had been sold.

    ii.        No voids had been sold at the time of the right to buy purchase and therefore it was not possible to access the impact on property values.

   iii.        There was no information available regarding conversions of roof spaces into living spaces. Such issues would be covered by planning and building regulations.

  iv.        It was not possible to monitor any conversion of a roof void that had taken place without permission.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.