Service Charges for freeholders

LEMC is responsible for maintaining the landscaping - trimming, spraying, replacing plants where necessary - in both the communal areas of Lacuna Estate and the front gardens of the freehold houses. LEMC is not responsible for back gardens.

LEMC leaves the maintenance of pots outside front doors up to homeowners, either to plant up and water or to remove. LEMC maintains the half dozen or so 'communal' pots that are placed in communal areas.

LEMC will cut back all overgrown trees, including those in your back garden.

('Trees' are the only thing we do for your back garden)

Please email lemcoperations@gmail.com) if one near you needs 'doing'.

LEMC is responsible under the covenants for insuring your freehold building except where you have signed a contract to say that you will be responsible for insuring it yourself. 

It is much more cost effective for homeowners to purchase their own cover and the vast majority of freeholders are in the process (2023 and 2024) of getting the contract signed accordingly.

LEMC's manager is responsible for liaising with the company secretary on purchases/sales, maintaining the data base, running the email address, organising meetings, updating the website, supervising regular landscaping and window cleaning contracts and for doing the day to day bookkeeping. In addition, the manager is responsible for procuring insurance, getting GDPR licensed, sending out 180 invoices with budgets, sending statements & chasing arrears, preparing year end service charge accounts and sending to our chartered accountants for certification. Please see our accounts tab above and our privacy policy below.

When a Lacuna Estate property is bought/sold, your solicitor will liaise with our company secretary who, in addition to responding to conveyancing queries, will get a deed of covenant signed by the purchaser, ensure all dues are fully paid up by the seller and update the shareholder register at Companies House.  There is a company secretary charge for both buyer and seller - your solicitor will be able to advise on this and on the entire process.

LEMC is responsible for painting/washing down your freehold house & garage front, but homeowners are responsible for repairing cracks & rot, and for painting their doors & windows. Because there is overwhelming support for a policy allowing homeowners to do the whole lot, LEMC leaves the homeowner in charge and no longer collects redecoration reserves (lowering service charges, therefore). See FAQ for further information.

LEMC is responsible for repairing, maintaining, painting and replacing as necessary: communal tv equipment, paving, gullies, bollards, street lights, street furniture, signage, standalone bin stores, and any gates, fences & walls that face onto any communal area. External managing agents will typically charge additional project management fees for organising & supervising such works, but LEMC is fortunate in having Directors who undertake the appointment and supervision of contractors for no charge.

(Manhole cover/overflowing drain problems are not an LEMC responsibility; please contact Southern Water direct)

LEMC is responsible for cleaning your windows six times per year. Our window cleaner Mark will text you the night before if you wish, in order that you can unlock back gates etc to allow access. 

Text him on 07303-024014 with the first line of address and he will keep you advised