All flats require maintenance, repairs, improvements and such like from time to time.  These have to be paid for and this achieved by making a charge upon each flat owner called a service charge.  Flat owners often want the highest-quality maintenance at the lowest cost possible, and achieving this delicate balance is not always easy.  As a result, service charges have probably become the most frequent and contentious source of dispute between flat owners, building owners and managing agents.

This section is full of articles where you can discover what a service charge is, when and how it can be collected, what it can be used for, in what circumstances it can be challenged as well as lots of further information about the law of service charges. If you have more questions, require further clarification, or want to suggest an article don’t forget to contact us, comment on an article or leave a comment in our forum.

Service Charges - Getting it wrong

Shaun Jardine outlines 12 common problems that occur in service charge collection.

How to challenge your service charge.

David Sillitoe provides a step by step guide.

Why provision should be made for Pest Control in your Service Charge budget.

David Channon discusses the benefits of being prepared.

What happens when the lift stops?

David Masters gives the answer.

How to manage service charge debt.

Neil Shearing has zero tolerance for late payment in a recession.

Service Charge Disputes - A Building Surveyors view

John Byers provides a Building Surveyors View.

What are you paying for?

Eyvind Andresen explains your rights to service charge information.

Residential Service Charges Disputes

Simon Painter and Jacinta Conway explain three common service charge terms.

Why service charges matter

Philip Rainey introduces this special supplement to News on the Block.

Are your Service Charges Safe?

Millions of pounds held on deposit as service charge monies could become the latest victim of the economic downturn.Thousands of anxious flat owners around the country are trying to clarify if their money is at risk. It is not clear if service charge monies will be protected if the bank in which funds are deposited ceases to trade.

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The recent Hosebay Case

The recent case of Hosebay Limited v Hugo Benjamin Day and Lady Hilary Maureen Greenslade Day (2009) is the latest judicial offering on the thorny issue of what constitutes house under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (the Act).

Abandoning the communal heating system

Communal heating systems are very common within older blocks and it is inevitable that at some point the Residents Association will consider abandoning the system in favour of installing independent boilers and heating systems to each flat.Whilst the idea of each resident having their own heating system is desirable for all sorts of reasons, making it happen is not as straight forward as you would imagine, so in order to save you time and money on consultants and surveys let us first look at the practical issues.

One Park West in Liverpool

Over the past 10 years it has become a cliché for residential developers to hire famous architects. And in Liverpool Grosvenor didn't spare a penny by hiring international architect Cesar Pelli (famous for the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur) to design their landmark city centre block, One Park West.

Peverel OM Relaunch

Leading national property management company Peverel OM has relaunched as OM Property Management. Andrew Billson, Managing Director of Operations at OM Property Management, comments:

Leader of the Pack - NOTB Interview with Melissa Briggs of CARLEX

As membership of pressure group CARLEX swells, News on the Block interviews co-founder Melissa Briggs, about the Campaign for the Abolishment of Retirement Leasehold Exploitation.

How to keep your block rodent free

Dr. David channon explains why winter is the busiest period for rodent control. As we all shiver and long for the warmth of our comfy houses whilst commuting to work in the freezing weather, rodents share our sentiments and are also looking for cosy hideouts during the cold snaps.

Peverel Awarded Investors in People

Peverel Property Management has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People accreditation in recognition of its performance in training and developing its 1,200 staff.

FPRA steps up campaign for independent regulation of managing agents

Federation of Private Residents Associations (FPRA) Chairman, Bob Smytherman has written to the Secretary of State with responsibility for the private leasehold sector calling for an independent regulator for the industry, similar to the one that regulates Council Housing and Housing Associations.

Flat Owners Petition Downing street

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has been petitioned “to create a body which will oversee and regulate the leasehold management industry, enforce a proper code of conduct offering protection to owners of leasehold properties from unreasonable service charges and poor quality of service”.

Stonedale MD Becomes IRPM fellow

Ruth Emanuel, Managing Director of Stonedale Property Management has been awarded Fellowship of the Institute of Residential Property Managers (IRPM) for her contribution to the property management industry over the past 23 years.