Living in Your Home

Midsummer is committed to providing homes in an environment that is safe, clean and encourages good community relations. We can only achieve this if our residents look after their homes and estates, respect their neighbours and support the community in which they live

Useful Information

Listed below are some of the most common questions we are asked by our residents. If you require any further information or your enquiry isn't listed below contact a member of the Home Ownership Team.

Can I buy further shares?

Shared Ownership leases allow you to buy further shares in your home at any time after the first year of your initial purchase (this does not apply to purchasers of a re-sale property, who may purchase further shares straight away, providing the lease you are purchasing is over one year old). Click the following link for further information on Buying Further Shares.

Is my property insured?

Buildings insurance for your home is normally arranged through an insurance provider identified by Midsummer. The cost of the insurance cover is usually collected monthly with your rent. Leases do vary and you may need to insure your home yourself. Please contact the Home Ownership Team if you need advice.

We will agree with you the amount of cover provided and review the cover each year in line with published rebuild costs. If you are purchasing your home with a mortgage, your lender will advise you of the amount of cover required and this will normally be shown on your mortgage offer.

It is important that you insure your possessions, as this is not arranged through Midsummer. You may also like to consider taking out a service contract/insurance cover for your central heating system, as this is not covered on a standard building insurance policy.

Can I keep a pet in my property?

We do not usually allow dogs and cats in flats unless there is direct access to a private garden.

We would ask you to ensure that your pet does not foul on communal areas and all excrement is disposed of in the correct manner.

Can I run a business from home?

It is against the terms of your shared ownership lease to run any trade or business from your home, or to park any commercial vehicles other than a light delivery van on your property.

Can I change the name on my lease?

If for any reason you wish to change the name on your lease, you need to contact your solicitor, as a legal transfer to the lease has to be completed. Midsummer will have to give approval to the transfer for which a fee is payable. Before we give our permission to change the names, Midsummer would require notification in writing from all parties to the lease, confirming that the transfer can take place.

Who maintains my property?

All repairs and maintenance of the property are the responsibility of the shared owner, unless otherwise detailed in your shared ownership lease. Midsummer's new properties are sold with a NHBC or Zurich ten or twelve year structural guarantee and under this agreement the builder has an obligation to remedy defects due to faulty materials or workmanship in the first two years. The structure of the property is then guaranteed for at least a further eight years.

Can I make improvements and alterations to my property?

You need our permission if you wish to carry out any improvements or alterations to your home such as:

• Replacement doors and windows
• A conservatory
• An extension

We will ask you to provide at your own expense:

• Scale drawings and plans where appropriate
• Product information or details of materials to be used
• Confirmation of planning approval/building control regulations from your local council if required
• If access is required to a neighbours garden, their written consent will also be required

Before you start any work, please contact the Housing Advice Team for an application form and guidance notes.

You should also note Midsummer's approval is required before you take out a second mortgage to fund any improvements and you may need to increase the level of your buildings insurance cover.

Dealing with Neighbour Nuisance/Anti Social Behaviour

Not to cause a nuisance to your neighbours is a main obligation of your lease. You are also responsible for the behaviour of your family and visitors to your home. All of our residents have the right to live peacefully in their home and we expect people to show consideration to their neighbours.

We recommend that neighbours attempt to solve any problems between themselves. If however it is proved that persistent nuisance/anti social behaviour is being caused we may be able to give you further advice and refer you onto other agencies that may be able to help resolve the problem.

Midsummer can only consider legal action if there is substantial evidence and you have already taken all the steps available to you to resolve the problem yourself.

You do of course have the right to take your own legal action against neighbours causing a nuisance. For further advice contact:

• The Citizens Advice Bureau
• Your local community mediation service (if one is available in your area)
• Your local council's Environmental Health Department
• A Solicitor

Harassment

We feel that neither residents nor staff should have to face any kind of harassment or discrimination. We have a policy and procedure to give support to victims of harassment and where possible we will take action against any residents causing harassment. Please contact the Housing Advice Team if you need further information or a copy of our policy.