Your service charge

How to pay your service charge

You can pay online by debit or credit card using Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit and Maestro, have your service charge reference number to hand as you will need to know your account number.

Pay your service charge online        Set up payments by direct debit

It is your responsibility to ensure the payment reaches us in time, you should allow four working days for us to receive payment.

When to pay

Most leaseholders in the borough pay the service charge twice a year – on 1 April and 1 October. You pay six months in advance so the bill you pay is an estimate based on the average charge for the past three years. It also sets out how much we expect things to cost.

In September, the actual bill for the past year is calculated. We send you a summary of the actual costs. Any overpayments will be credited to you and any underpayments will be debited.

Within six months of receiving the summary of actual costs, you have the right to ask us if you can inspect their invoices and receipts to see how your service charge has been calculated. You have a right to see them if you wish.

About your service charge

This is the money you pay towards the day-to-day running costs of your block of flats and maisonettes and any major works and improvements which have been carried out.

• Service charges will differ from one scheme to another and will depend on the layout of the estate, the type of property you have purchased and the terms of your lease. We are only able to charge for services and for repairs that are identified as our responsibility in the lease
• Leaseholders are not required to contribute towards the cost of services and repairs which are provided solely for the benefit of Council tenants in the building.
• Resident Service Officers monitor the services that are provided on your scheme and visit regularly to ensure that the expected level of service is being provided.