Major works invoices

Part of: Leaseholder service charges and invoices

Billing for major works is similar to how we bill you for day-to-day service charges. You will get an invoice from us for your proportion of the estimated cost of the works. You must let us know how you intend to pay within 21 days of receiving this.

Once the works are complete and we have finalised the accounts, we will send a final invoice for any outstanding amount. Again, you must let us know how you intend to pay within 21 days of receiving this.

You must either pay in full within 30 days or set up a payment arrangement by direct debit within 6 weeks. We will give you a 5% discount on the amount payable if you pay the full amount within 60 days.

Interest-free and combination loans – resident leaseholders

You can pay in monthly instalments; the number of months that you can pay depends on the size of your invoice:

Table of loans

Amount

Interest-free monthly instalments

Additional instalments with interest at PWLB rate %

Total monthly instalments

£250 - £600

12 months (1 year)

None

12 months (1 year)

£601 - £1,799

24 months (2 years)

None

24 months (2 years)

£1,800 - £4,999

36 months (3 years)

None

36 months (3 years)

£5,000 - £9,999

48 months (4 years)

12 months

60 months (5 years)

£10,000 - £14,999

60 months (5 years)

24 months

84 months (7 years)

£15,000 - £19,999

72 months (6 years)

24 months

96 months (8 years)

£20,000 - £29,999

84 months (7 years)

24 months

108 months (9 years)

£30,000 - £39,999

120 months (10 years)

60 months

180 months (15 years)
£40,000 - £59,999 144 months (12 years) 96 months 240 months (20 years)
£60,000 and over 180 months (15 years) 120 months 300 months (25 years)

For any of these loans, there is an administration fee of £25 for each year of the loan.

If your invoice is over £10,000, you must agree to have a charge placed on your property to secure the loan. There is a legal fee of £200 plus a set up charge of £100 for securing the loan. A fee of £200 applies for removing the charge.

If you want an interest-free loan for longer than six years, you must show you have been turned down by at least two high-street lenders.

Please download and fill-in the relevant loan application form to apply:

Interest-free and combination loans – non-resident leaseholders

Amount Interest-free monthly instalments Additional instalments with interest at PWLB rate % Total monthly instalments
£250 - £599 12 months (1 year) None 12 months (1 year)
£600 - £1,799  24 months (2 years) None 24 months (2 years)
£1,800 - £24,999  36 months (3 years) None 36 months (3 years)
£25,000 - £39,999 36 months (3 years) None 36 months (3 years)
£40,000 - £59,999 36 months (3 years) 60 (5 years) 120 months (10 years)
£60,000 and over 36 months (3 years) 120 (10 years) 180 months (15 years)

Payment options for owner occupiers (resident leaseholders) only

An owner-occupier is a leaseholder who lives in their property and does not rent it out.

Discretionary loan from the council (secured on the property)

To qualify for a discretionary loan, you must:

  • apply within 2 weeks – means test required
  • must have been turned down by at least 2 lenders

Discretionary loan (interest 2% above the Base Rate):

Amount of invoice/amount borrowed
less than £1,500 / 3 years
£1,500 to £4,999 / 5 years
£5,000 or more / 10 years

Help from the DWP if on Income Support

You may be entitled to assistance with payment if you are on a low income or you are receiving: 

  • Income support
  • Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit
  • Pension credit (for leaseholders over 60)

If you are in receipt of Income Support; Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance, please take a copy of your invoice with a breakdown of costs to the Jobcentre in the first instance. 

The housing costs team within the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) will assess your eligibility for assistance.  

If you are in receipt of Pension credit, please contact Pension Service and ask for the housing costs team.

Please note that it may take up to 8 weeks to get a response from the DWP.

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, please contact the jobcentre and provide them with a copy of your invoice and a breakdown of the costs.  

Income support for interest-only loan

To qualify you must:

  • apply to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) within 4 weeks
  • already be in receipt of benefits

The DWP will usually pay invoices for Decent Homes work or other major works for people receiving benefit.

The DWP will consider paying the interest on interest only loans for major works.

Debt and loans advice

For people with financial problems or help with the DWP.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau or Haringey Families Support Service via Family Mosaic Housing, a new service to assist families in the borough facing financial difficulties.

You must contact us as soon as possible to discuss options.

National Debtline – Freephone: 0808 808 4000.

Interest-only loan

Interest-only loan secured by a charge on the property for resident leaseholders only.

For resident leaseholders who are facing severe hardship and are unable to secure funding for a High Street Bank/Building Society loan, Haringey Council offers an interest-only payment option secured by a charge on the property for the actual amount

The interest on the loan is charged annually and the leaseholder pays just the interest on a monthly/quarterly basis.

The loan is repaid on the sale of the property.