The Warner Estate was developed between 1910 and 1930 and features some of the earliest purpose-built flats in a distinctive two-storey terraced style with double front doors and a shared back garden. The Ex Warner Project is a great resource for oral histories and photos.
Waltham Forest has about 4,000 Warner flats, all managed by the Warner Estate until 2002, when the portfolio was split between Circle 33, Final Brief and others. The managing agents most commonly encountered by leaseholders are Freehold Managers, Circle Housing Group or Waltham Forest Housing.
Warner leases are unusual in that most don’t include service charges. Instead, the leaseholders are responsible for maintenance of the external building and conduits (pipes and wires) and are expected to contribute 50% each. The advantage of a building that comprises just two flats, is that if both residents want to buy the freehold, they can go ahead, and many have done.