(2) on what date the repairs notice was served; what the expected date of completion of the repairs is; and what estimate has been made of their cost.
Attempts have been made since the property became surplus to dispose of the Department’s interest, subject to the use restrictions contained within the leasehold agreement.
Since the service of Notice of Repairs on 5 August 2008, the Department has been in discussion with the landlord on the possibility on varying the terms of the lease to relax the use restrictions without any progress. However, following a meeting with the landlord in late February 2010 it was agreed that further work would be undertaken to establish the feasibility of the most appropriate alternative use for the property after which further discussions would take place with the landlord. The work will involve a number of external organisations and is expected to take up to four months. Every effort will be made to conclude subsequent discussions with the landlord as soon as possible.
Following the service of the Repairs Notice there have been discussions with the landlord as to the extent of the works required having regard to the terms of the lease. The extent of the works will also now be dependent on the outcome of the discussions with the landlord with regard to alternative uses. Estimates of the costs will be made at that stage.