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What are service charges?
Once you own the flat or maisonette you will have to start paying for the service that we provide. This will include keeping your block clean and tidy and in good repair.
These services are called service charges. These are billed to you on a yearly basis and are billed in arrears, so you will only be billed for work that was done to your block in the previous year.
When you receive your service charge bill you will receive an invoice with the amount that needs to be paid, an A4 piece of paper that explains the different ways on how to pay your bill, and your service charge breakdown sheet. Your breakdown sheet will give your reference number at the top, followed by your address and the dates that the service charges are billed for. After this you will get a list of all the services that are offered by the Council but there will only be a price next to the ones that you receive. The services that can be charged for are listed below with a short explanation about each:
- Cleaning - this is a service you may receive for the cleaning of the communal parts of your block. This includes things like removing the rubbish and cleaning the stairs.
- Communal Electricity - this is for the electricity used in the communal parts of your block. This includes the electricity for the lighting in the corridors and staircases, the costs of running the lifts and any other communal appliances in your block.
- Door Entry - this is a telephone or intercom system used by some leaseholders to let people in to the block of flats or maisonettes.
- TV Aerial Charge - you will receive this if you use the communal TV facilities.
- City Wide Alarm - this service is used by people that may need help quickly. If you receive this service then you pay for it as a service charge. You can be disconnected from this but there may be a charge and you need to write to the Council.
- Communal Gardens - this is for the maintenance of any communal gardens that are around your block of flats or maisonettes.
- Lift Maintenance - this is for the routine maintenance and servicing of the lift in the block of flats or maisonettes.
- General Day to Day Repairs - this is for small repairs to the communal areas of your block. This could include repairs to staircase lighting, the refuse disposal unit or other minor repairs to the communal areas.
- Management Fee - as stated in your lease, a management fee is charged as part of your service charge invoice. This fee covers the Council’s costs and expenses in providing the leasehold service. This includes newsletter and handbook printing costs, postage, consultation notices and staffing costs for the team who are here to answer any queries you have or to give advice.
- Administration fee - as stated in your lease an administration fee is added to each invoice. It is set at 10% of the total invoice with a minimum amount of £5 and a maximum amount of £150. This covers the costs and expenses of the Council in calculating and collecting your service charges.
Once you have received your service charge bill and there is anything you would like to ask about it you can contact the Leasehold Management Team.
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