Your lease will set out what services we must supply for you, and which costs we can claim back from you.
The cost of services is covered by a portion of the rent paid by tenants, and service charges paid by leaseholders.
Your contribution to the costs of these services is calculated according to the percentage stated in your lease or by the rateable value of your home.
Most leases also allow for these proportions to be varied to ensure the service charge for each home receiving a service is fair and reasonable.
The properties of leaseholders and tenants are included in the calculation of all shared costs. The premium for the building insurance covering your home is set by the insurer according to the size of your flat or maisonette.
You can find an example of a breakdown of service charges here.
Your estimate and actual service charges are broken down into a number of categories.
Please note that some categories may not be included, dependent on which services are provided to your block or estate.
Estate costs
Your share of the cost of maintaining your estate, as set out in your lease.
Block costs
The cost of maintaining your block, as set out in your lease.
Caretaking and cleaning
The cost of:
• cleaning shared corridors and staircases up to the first landing
• picking up litter from outside areas
• checking and replacing light bulbs in shared areas
• reporting damage and repairs
• dealing with blocked chutes.
Repairs and maintenance
The cost of repairs and maintenance for your block or estate, dependent on where the repair or maintenance has taken place.
Lighting
The cost of the electricity for lighting paths and staircases. If you have a lift, it will also cover the cost of the electricity needed to power the lift.
Lift maintenance
The cost of an emergency breakdown service throughout the year, regular service inspections and follow-on repairs.
Heating and hot water
The cost of fuel, electricity, maintaining the boiler and repairing shared heating systems.
Grounds maintenance
The cost of cutting the grass and looking after shrubs, trees and hedges.
Shared TV aerials
The cost of maintaining and leasing the shared TV aerial system for your block or building.
Administration or management charge
The cost of managing leasehold properties, including:
• supervising services and repairs
• maintaining records and systems
• replying to enquiries (staff costs, typing, postage, phone and stationery costs)
• issuing service charge bills
• collecting service charges.
The flat rate for calculating management charges is set annually. It usually involves a flat fee plus a proportion of service charges above a certain rate.