Service Charge

If you live in a block of flats, it is likely that your ‘Residents’ Management Company will carry out the maintenance and upkeep of ‘communal areas’ with costs being recovered from the leasehold and (where appropriate) freehold owners. The Service/Maintenance Charge is usually the anticipated cost of carrying out maintenance and upkeep of the communal areas.

Because you (or your predecessor/s) entered into a contract (either a lease or freehold purchase) and payment of the Service/Maintenance Charge was a condition of that contract.

Our Property Manager will have prepared a budget/provision for the forthcoming financial period, which will have been arrived at having considered actual expenditure through the current period, and anticipated expenditure requirements for the forthcoming period.

Typically, Service/Maintenance Charges are payable annually, half yearly, or sometimes quarterly, at dates set out in the lease or transfer. Please refer to your lease or transfer for absolute certainty

Every year accounts will be prepared showing expenditure for the development of which your property forms a part. If you require further and more detailed information this is available on request in accordance with the legislative provisions.

You may find that the Service/Maintenance Charge you pay is higher, or lower, than that of a neighbour, but this does not mean that it is wrong. The amount payable is dependent on a number of factors including but not limited to the size of the property.

You should always refer to your lease or transfer to establish what proportion of any Service/Maintenance Charge is payable by you, and then if you feel there is a disparity refer to us for further guidance and/or information.

You may pay your charges by cheque, bank transfer, direct debit and debit card. In certain circumstances our clients may countenance a deferred payment arrangement, such as monthly standing order / direct debit.

Details as to payment options available to you will be included with any demand we may issue on behalf of our client.

The running of the development and the provision of services is entirely dependent upon funds being available to discharge contractural obligations. These funds come from you and your fellow owners/leaseholders, and if they are not forthcoming the company may not be able to continue providing services.

If you cannot pay your Service/Maintenance Charge you should let us know as soon as possible in order that we may advise the client and seek instructions, but you should be aware that failure to pay, whether attributable to circumstance or intent, may result in your security of tenure being jeopardised.

If you are in financial difficulties you should seek advice from a solicitor or other professional advisor, or the Citizens Advice Bureau.