Green grant application

Maintenance

I came on the NRLA course about Green Grants earlier this year. I am leaseholder for a flat which I rent out, which is one of a block of 4, side by side and above 4 shops in the street. The freeholder (Heslop Ltd) has a property management agent (Covman) who I normally liaise with.

It was obviously better to get the whole flat roof done at the same time, with 20 years guarantee and offers considerable savings, sharing the scaffolding etc and opportunity for £5k green grant for each applicant. We leaseholders have a quote for renewing the whole flat roof for the 4 flats from an accredited contactor for the Green Grant scheme(Proactive flat roofing who seem very clued up and helpful)

They advise that any application should be via the Landlord. Covman have advised we need to employ a building surveyor, and gave me a couple of names but I am concerned that this will all mean delays and have been told this process can take 6 to 9 months and requires (normally) the issuing of a section 20 notice. But time is important even though the GG scheme has been extended to March 22 but funds are likely to run out.

Can we 4 leaseholders make our own grant applications or do we have to wait (and likely pay for) Covman to do this on behalf of the landlord/freeholder?
Penny