We provide services to make sure our neighbourhoods, blocks and open spaces are clean, tidy and safe. A service charge is a payment to cover the cost of providing these services such as building safety checks and for the management and maintenance of communal blocks and grounds.
The amount you pay can vary depending on how much it costs for us to provide these services and on the type of home you live in. The services that apply to your home that you will be charged for will be detailed in your tenancy agreement or lease agreement.
We don’t make a profit on these charges and we routinely re-tender our cleaning, repairs, grounds maintenance, and utility contracts to ensure you receive good value for money.
For more information about service charges, you can read and download our Service Charge Policy.
A-Z of service charges
You will only pay for the services that are provided for your home. Here is a full A-Z of all the services that we provide and a brief description of what the charges cover. Your tenancy or lease agreement will detail which of these services apply to you.
The cost of the management and administration of service charges.
Where you see "Asset Charge," this is where we are saving up money to replace equipment when it reaches the end of its useful life, for example, for door entry or fire alarm systems. Your service charge will state "Asset Charge" and then the name of the equipment.
Servicing and maintaining of building management systems.
Servicing and maintenance of communal alarm system (Marina Gardens only).
For the cost of gas and electricity for communal areas – most blocks only have an electricity supply.
Cleaning of communal areas, stairwells and common rooms.
The Community Environmental Officers help maintain outdoor shared spaces. They regularly inspect communal bin stores, green spaces and shared areas across our neighbourhoods.
The cost of communal water and sewerage, if applicable.
Cost of employing fire safety specialists to inspect blocks on a regular basis to make sure they are safe and to identify any fire hazards.
Servicing and maintaining building fire safety suppressants (Marina Gardens only).
Maintenance of outdoor spaces including landscaping, grass cutting and tree surgery.
Cost of carrying out regular inspections and water safety testing of shared water systems.
Cost of servicing and maintaining lifts.
Cost of maintenance of communal digital TV systems.
For the upkeep and maintenance of neighbourhood open spaces
Cost of maintaining roof netting (Marina Gardens only).
Servicing and repair costs to door entry systems, fire panels, smoke detectors and emergency lighting.
Where you see the term servicing this is where we service equipment to make sure it is working properly to keep you safe, such as servicing firefighting equipment. Your service charge will state servicing and then the name of the equipment.
Street lighting running, service and repairs costs for lights that are not adopted by the Council.
Third-management costs for managing and maintaining blocks and block safety. Costs of managing and maintaining open spaces on estates, including for example, landscaping, maintenance of unadopted roads and pathways, tree surgery.
Cost of communal TV licence for common rooms.
Cost of removing any fly tipped or bulk rubbish that is not the responsibility of the council.
Cost of providing window cleaning services.
You may also be interested in
Estimate and actual service charge statements
Understanding the service charge year and how we keep you informed about changes.
Service charge FAQs
Your service charge questions answered.
Managing Agents
Third-party companies or individuals who help deliver services on our behalf.
Communal cleaning and grounds maintenance
Maintaining clean, tidy and safe communal spaces.
Community Environment
Keeping our neighbourhoods clean, safe and welcoming.
Useful documents
It is a legal requirement that we must send you a summary of your rights and obligations with any demand for payment of a service charge. A copy of your rights and obligations as well as our Service Charge Policy can be read and downloaded below.
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Service Charges A Summary Of Your Rights And Obligations
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Service Charge Policy