Leaseholder charges are to cover costs related to your home to manage, maintain and insure your home.
There are two main charges;
- ground rent
- yearly service charge
Ground rent
This is an annual charge and is paid by most leaseholders, except those at Singletree and Southfield Park.
It is fixed in your lease for use of the land your home is on and we invoice you in April each year. Currently this charge is £10 per year.
Please note that if you exercised the Right to Buy for your flat after 30 June 2022 you do not pay ground rent.
Yearly service charge
Your yearly service charge may include:
- day-to-day repairs
- TV aerials
- lifts
- door entry systems
- dry riser fire safety systems
- communal grounds maintenance
- administration of the services we provide
- buildings insurance premium
- communal lighting and heating
- the cost of Estate Officers and other staff who deal with leasehold matters
See Understanding your leaseholder charges to see other items which may be included in the charge.
When your charges are due
Charges must be paid quarterly in advance each year on: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.
We will send your estimated service charge invoice in February for the forthcoming financial year. This will provide a summary of costs giving a breakdown of the total amount payable.
The level of charge will depend on where you live, the services you receive, and what is in your lease.
In September each year we will send you an actual adjustment for the previous year. If your estimated service charge was too low we will send you an invoice asking you to pay the additional amount. If your estimated service charge was too high we will advise you of the credit to be put on your service charge account.
For more information on what we charge for please refer to your lease.
How to pay leaseholder charges
We offer several ways to pay your service charge and ground rent.
If you decide to pay your service charges monthly, it is important that you contact us to let us know. If we have not recorded your instalment plan, you may receive reminder letters from us.
Direct Bank Transfer or Standing Order
You need to provide your bank with the following information:
- our Barclays Bank account number: 30750662
- our sort code number: 20-71-29
- your 10 digit payment reference number: this begins with 9000
- the amount you need to pay
Pay online
Payments can be made using a debit or credit card via our website:
You need your 10-digit customer account number which starts with 9.
Pay your leaseholder charges online
Direct Debit
You can set up a Direct Debit over the phone.
You need your bank details and your 10-digit customer account number which starts with 9.
Contact our Incomes Team direct on 01865 249811
Pay by card over the telephone
You can make a card payment using our automated payment telephone line.
You need your 10-digit customer account number which starts with 9.
- Ring 01865 249811
- Select option 1
If you are late with payments
Your lease says you must pay service charges for your property. Paying your service charges is just as important as paying your mortgage.
If you do not pay your service charges, we will initially apply for a county court judgement which will make it more difficult for you to obtain the best deals for utilities, broadband, mobile phones, credit cards loans or mortgages. We will then apply to take back your home. You will still be liable to pay for the money you owe us, the cost of going to court, and interest for the period your charges have been outstanding.
This is a last resort we would rather work with you to come to a suitable repayment agreement. If you are in any financial difficulties we need to know. We will discuss how we can help you and give you advice.
