Service charge

[Dallas]

What's normally included beyond management of the parking spaces?

Lightbulbs, gardening, cleaning/waste management, porterage (sometimes 24 hour), paying for the locks, security, cctv, evacuation .... same as any business building.

My old block has a facebook page talking about annual accounts, poor performance and legal escalation.

My new block is pants, no incentove to do better.

good luck!

[SueEllen]

There isn't one.

If you live in a building with things like a lift, underground car park or a porter AND/OR your building is listed then expect high service charges.

In the case of buildings that are listed I would avoid them completely as even if you do something inside your own flat you will have to ask for permission from the freeholder.

There are some companies, which if you google, have a history of ripping their leaseholders off.

And having share of freehold has it's own heap of problems.......

[Paddy]

There is no set figure other than by law it must be reasonable and reasonably incurred and costs must relate to the T&Cs of the Lease. eg: they can't charge you for CCTV if it's not in the Lease.

You can challenge the fees by taking your case to the LVT however, most Leaseholders are thick, scared of the Landlord Freeholder and ignorant of their rights under the law.

[mickey]

factor in postcode and services

What's normally included beyond management of the parking spaces?

[Dallas]

factor in postcode and services

[mickey]

A question to those owning flats. What's a reasonable range for a service charge. It's normally measured per sq ft, e.g. £2.5-3.5 per sq ft per year?