Rent and service charges
You normally pay service charges if you live in a flat
or a house that has communal areas. Your lease will outline what
services you’ll receive and what you’ll have to pay
for.
The service charge you pay is your share of
the costs of running, maintaining and improving your block and
estate as well as any planned repairs/major works. This may be
collected at the same time as your rent or separately. You only pay
for works or services provided to your block or estate.
Service charges vary but may include:
- communal lighting/electricity/water
- communal repairs and maintenance
- cleaning communal areas
- maintenance contract e.g. door-entry systems, lifts, TV
aerial etc
- gardening services or grounds maintenance
- buildings insurance
- contributions to the sinking fund for cyclical
redecoration and/or major works
- management fees
- administration fees
- surveyors’ fees
- audit fees
Find out how to pay rent and service
charges