Requirements resulting from the Lease
Bilton Towers is designated as residential accommodation. As per the 1990 Town and Planning Act, it is against the law for leaseholders to sublet a property registered as residential accommodation for a duration of under three months, as accommodation rented for three months or less must be designated as “hotels and boarding houses”.
Whilst the three month limit is the legal minimum, longer minimum rental periods can be determined; at Bilton Towers this minimum period is six months. Longer term rentals provide a better fit with the desired residential atmosphere of Bilton Towers, allowing the people living in this building to consider this as their home or second home, rather than as a temporary holiday flat.
Under the terms of the Lease, any subletting of apartments in Bilton Towers requires prior written consent, which is administered the Managing Agents on behalf of the Landlord and of Bilton Towers Residents Company Ltd., who are a party in the Lease. The application process and required documents are described in the “How to apply” section below.
If, for whatever reason, the tenants of a flat vacate the premises less than six months after having moved in, consent for another subletting will not be granted until that six month period has expired.
How to apply (scroll below to see what supporting documentation is needed)
Applications are to be addressed to :
RMD Properties, 67 Bryanston Court, George Street, London W1H 7HD
click here to download an application form
The following documents must be supplied with the application:
- A copy of the first two pages of the Tenancy Agreement, in English language, showing the names of the parties and the length of the term. Important: the minimum duration of any sublet must be six months or more
- Copies of two references in respect of the proposed subtenants (download a reference form)
- The names of all the people who will be residing in the flat, with their degree of connection to the sub-tenant (e.g. spouse, child etc.)
- An undertaking to pay the fee of £ 150 + VAT for dealing with the application and issuing a letter of consent
- A copy of the energy performance certificate (this is a statutory requirement since October 2008).
- A copy of the gas safety certificate if a gas cooker or any other gas appliance is installed in the flat (also a statutory requirement since October 2008).
- Tenancy Agreements must not allow the tenant to further sublet the property to third parties.
- The tenants will not be granted access to Bilton Towers until the letter of consent has been issued and the names of the tenant and his/her accompanying family members have been recorded in the Registry of residents held at the Bilton Towers front desk.
Important :
Tenancy Agreements must not allow the tenant to further sublet the property to third parties.
The tenants will not be granted access to Bilton Towers until the letter of consent has been issued and the names of the tenant and his/her accompanying family members have been recorded in the Registry of residents held at the Bilton Towers front desk.
Information for tenant residents :
Residents renting accommodation in Bilton Towers are expected to observe the rules that apply to all occupiers of this property as a result of the terms of the Lease, and to ensure their conduct is at all times compatibles with the standards of this residential building.
As a reminder, the Lease prohibits hanging clothes and laundry to dry on the balconies, or to use any exterior parts of the apartments (balconies, landings, fire escapes) to store furniture, domestic waste or any other belongings. A reminder also that lettings of less than 90 (ninety) days are a contravention of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Greater London Powers Act. The City of Westminster is vigilant about these short lets and they will take enforcement action where a breach is brought to their attention.
This website contains an “Alphabetical index of services and facilities” which provides useful information on topics such as mail and parcel distribution, recycling of domestic waste, door opening hours, security and CCTV etc. to view that information, or to download a printable copy, click on this link.