Service charges are payments you make towards the costs of providing and maintaining services for the block you live in. They relate to actual and estimated costs. Service charges are split fairly between all the flats in the block - as explained below. The council pays the proportion relating to the rent-paying tenants, which is then recharged to them through the rent they pay.
It is important to note that the cost of the services to tenants is not subsidised in any way by leaseholders.
As the freeholder, the council is responsible for maintaining the structure of the whole building and the communal areas such as halls and stairways. The costs incurred by us are passed back to you on a proportional basis through service charges.
The services you receive will vary depending on where you live and may include:
- day-to-day maintenance
- caretaking and cleaning
- lighting of common parts
- repairs and improvements
- heating and hot water
- lift maintenance
- concierge
- gardening and grounds maintenance of external common areas
- management charges
- ground rent
- insurance