Leaseholders told to respond after Abri seeks dispensation to recover costs
Leaseholders across Bracknell are being asked to act quickly after housing association Abri applied to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to pass the costs of roofing and redecoration works to residents.
The application follows Abri's merger with Silva Homes, which completed in October 2023 and made Abri one of the largest landlords operating in the town. The issue centres on alleged failures by Silva Homes to properly consult leaseholders before carrying out certain works. Where a landlord has not followed the required consultation rules, leaseholders' contributions are typically capped at £250.
Abri has sought dispensation from that cap. If the tribunal grants the application, leaseholders could be required to pay sums above the usual £250 limit towards the cost of roofing and redecoration works.
How residents can respond
Leaseholders who wish to object must submit two documents: a reply form for leaseholders and a statement objecting to the landlord's application for dispensation. These must be emailed to RPEastern@justice.gov.uk by the deadline of Monday, 17 August.
The necessary forms are available on Abri's website under the pages for redecoration and roofing, which provide additional details about the application. Tenants and leaseholders are being urged to check those pages carefully to establish whether their properties are among those referenced in the paperwork.
- Prepare and submit the reply form for leaseholders.
- Draft and send a statement objecting to the dispensation application.
- Send both documents to RPEastern@justice.gov.uk by Monday 17 August.
- Join local tenant groups to share information and coordinate objections.
A group of leaseholders has created a Facebook page, titled 'Abri Section 20ZA Dispensation Application – Leaseholders Group', to share information and support residents affected by the application. Membership of the group requires approval by its administrators.
"The Facebook group was created to spread awareness and give residents a place to share information, as many of us remain unclear about how we are affected by Abri’s application to the First-tier Tribunal," said a member of the group.
The same member told other residents they were worried by a lack of clarity in the paperwork, which refers to invoices for "various properties" without specifying which addresses are affected. They said the uncertainty had caused "significant and, in many cases, unnecessary stress and uncertainty for hundreds of residents who simply want to understand how this could affect them financially."
Local political involvement and next steps
The matter has been referred to the local MP, Peter Swallow, who represents Bracknell. His involvement reflects the local sensitivity around potential charges being passed to leaseholders without clear prior consultation.
For many leaseholders the financial stakes are meaningful. Under the current rules, a capped contribution of £250 provides some protection where consultation provisions have not been met. Removing that protection could expose residents to substantially higher bills for communal works such as roofing and external redecoration.
| Issue | Current position | What Abri seeks |
|---|---|---|
| Leaseholder contribution cap | £250 | Removal of cap (dispensation) |
| Deadline to object | — | Monday, 17 August |
Leaseholders uncertain about their position should consult the specific documentation on Abri’s redecoration and roofing webpages and consider joining local groups to share evidence and coordinate responses. Those affected who do not meet the deadline may lose the opportunity to register an objection before the tribunal considers the application.
Whatever the tribunal decides, the outcome will be felt locally: either leaseholders retain the limited protection of the £250 cap, or many residents could face larger bills to cover communal building works carried out without the required consultation.
