Stop Islington Council's Fleecehold

Leaseholders whose freehold is owned by Labour-run Islington Council are being hit with eye-watering building works bills – with little say, little transparency, and virtually no way to challenge the costs. 

When the Council decides that one of its properties needs major building works, such as new windows, it serves a Section 20 notice. The leaseholders are then often faced with inflated bills they cannot avoid – leaving many, especially the most vulnerable, in severe financial distress.

For example, in September 2025, residents of a small Victorian block were handed a £90,000 bill, including £12,000 for scaffolding and £41,000 for windows and doors. One leaseholder was personally liable for nearly £29,000.

Another leaseholder, who purchased a flat in a 20-unit block in 2024 was expecting to pay around £10,500 for building works based on earlier estimates. Instead, their Section 20 notice demand was over £70,000.

Leaseholders and Islington Liberal Democrats are questioning how such costs can possibly be justified. After hearing housing issues from residents, Liberal Democrat activist Terry Stacy commented: “Instead of transparency, leaseholders are forced to spend time and money fighting the council to understand why their bills are so high.”

Despite mounting concern, we can't find if Islington Council has even acknowledged the problem. To our knowledge, there are no published minutes, statements, or press releases that recognise leaseholders’ distress or propose reforms.

Islington Liberal Democrats believe this must change. We are calling for reforms to give leaseholders a real voice – including the right to take collective ownership of management companies and common areas.

It’s time for Islington Council to listen, act, and stop treating leaseholders as a blank cheque.