Will you look to use our new Fire Safety Framework in the future? If so, and you’re likely to recoup some of the costs through service charges, now’s the time to begin your Section 20 Consultation!
You can use procurement frameworks and consult with your leaseholders under Section 20 regulations. However, if you’re tired of long lead-times with leasehold consultation, then carrying out the process upfront whilst we procure the framework is always a great idea. It closes a procurement loophole and makes things quicker for you if you choose to use our framework in the future.
Our new Fire Safety Framework will cover all aspects of your fire remedial works including:
- Fire Door Supply and Installation
- Passive Fire Protection – including fire doors, frames, door sets, glazing, fire stopping, seals and compartmentation works
- Active Fire Protection – including installation, servicing and maintenance of fire alarms and emergency lighting systems
S20 Consultation applies if you wish to recover costs resulting from works above £100 per annum per leaseholder for works lasting over 12 months. Or, if you wish to recover costs resulting from works above £250 for a contract lasting less than 12 months.
Sending out your Stage 1 notices now, before the new framework is in place, is a great way to ensure you’ve consulted with leaseholders already. Doing this now will save you time later on and you don’t have to commit to use the framework, this merely provides you with options going forward.
Here’s our advice on how best to do this to fit with the framework procurement timeline compliantly –
- The Notice(s) of intention need to go out by early January so that observations can be returned by early February. This is because we will look to release the tender on 20th February and you must give leaseholders a minimum of 30 days notice.
- You will not need to ask for nominations as this is going through Find A Tender Service. Therefore, the procedure will be under Schedule 2 of the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 (a Qualifying Long Term Agreement where Public Notice if required).
- The Notice will need to include the following information:
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- What is included in the framework – asbestos inspections, fire safety consultants, heating consultants, building safety consultants, audit and water hygiene risk assessments.
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- Why your organisation may use the framework route to procure future works.
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- There is an example of the standard legal notice within the regulations which you can view here – The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 (legislation.gov.uk)
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- You’re able to add your own covering letter to leaseholders to go alongside the legal notice.
