Service charges and benefits
What is a service charge?
A service charge is your contribution towards the costs of additional services which are beyond the benefit of occupying your home.
Service charges can include the provision of security (including door entry and CCTV), cleaning, heating and lighting in communal areas, as well as grounds maintenance and other services.
Details of your service charges will be confirmed to you annually in your rent and service charge notification letter.
You will only be charged a service charge if your home benefits from the service.
Will Housing Benefit or Universal Credit help me to meet these costs?
If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit most service charges will be covered through your benefits.
You are, however, liable to pay for any personal heating or water charges, as these are not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
Service charges you can claim for
Service charges that you have to pay to occupy your home will be counted as part of your eligible rent if they are related to the provision of adequate accommodation. Examples of service charges that may be included in your eligible rent are:
- cleaning of communal areas. These are defined as areas (other than rooms) with common access (including halls and passageways) and rooms of common use in sheltered accommodation
- connection to a radio or television system (except satellite and cable relay systems) in specified circumstances
- other services such as those provided by caretakers which relate to the provision of adequate accommodation, and
- children’s play areas.
These lists are not exhaustive; other service charges may be included or excluded in your eligible rent.
Service charges you cannot claim for
Examples of charges that cannot be included in your eligible rent are charges for:
- fuel and water charges (unless they relate to a communal area)
- personal laundry (but not a service charge for the use of laundry facilities)
- cleaning of rooms and windows (other than communal areas) unless neither you nor any member of your household can do it
- transport
- meals or groceries (housing benefit uses set figures as a meal deduction)
- television rental and license fee (but the cost of television and radio relay may be allowed)
- leisure items like recreation facilities (but payments for children’s play areas are allowed), and
- personal care and support.