Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of adopting a formal protocol for dealing with breaches of lease, specifically in respect of non-carpeted floors and animals, following the Committee’s decision in December 2017.  The Chairman commended officers for this work and, if approved today, the Protocol would be implemented immediately. 

In response to queries raised about examples of vexatious complaints; i.e. flooring being delivered to a property but not yet fitted, it was suggested that, whilst such a complaint might be premature, it should not automatically be deemed as vexatious.  Furthermore, should the matter be brought to the attention of the Estate Office, then they would be obliged to remind residents that, in fitting the floor, they would be in breach of the Lease.  Officers confirmed that they would continue to advise residents accordingly, but each case would be judged on outcome, and circumstances might change with a new tenant.  Members also noted that local Estate Agents had been appraised of this covenant in the Barbican Lease. 

RESOLVED, that – the Barbican Estate Office Protocol for dealing with breaches of lease, as set out in Appendix A, be approved, subject to replacing ‘vexatious’ with ‘potential’ complainants and the removal of bullet point 1 in respect of flooring being delivered to a property but not yet fitted.