Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 a letter was sent to Senior admin FOI/DPA South Regional Office (Newewtownards ) for a breakdown on all costs for the work completed under Health and Safety Schemes (ref no 24.68.074). On the 27th November 2014 it was confirmed by letter from Lorraine Cambell, Regional Manager South, that all work completed within scheme no 24.68.074 was classed as "Health and safety Works"
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we asked whether " Leaseholders " are lilable for any costs when refurbishments of lifts is carried out under Health and Safety.On the 9th December 2014 we received a letter from Colm McQuillan,Assistant Director,Landlord Housing Services.Northern Ireland Housing Excutive,"When lifts are replaced due to Health and Safety reasons,the costs incurred are not recovered from leaseholders.
All Leaseholders Service Charge Accounts have £2,057 added for the refurbished lifts. An e-mail was sent to me on the 23rd May 2011 by The Northern Ireland Housing Excutive from Lesley Tong which stated "Legal advice has been sought and have agreed the elements that will be charged to the leaseholders" In the e-mail regarding costs it said "I can restate that we have already agreed that the full costs of the "upgrade" of the lifts will not be passed on to the leaseholders.The costs that will be passed on and recovered are a "Notional" charge for the continued maintenance of the lifts." ( which we pay in our service charge) I was told at a later date that this was a mistake.
As it has been stated by your letters "Due to Health and Safety" reasons,the costs incurred (£2,057) are not recovered from Leaseholders.
I believe that the above information is sufficient reason for the NIHE to withdraw this added charge to the leaseholders and I am now asking the NIHE to abide by its own
original ruling regarding these costs.

Yours faithfully,
John Leitch