Service Charges Explained
Our service charges help to cover the cost of providing services to everyone who lives in your development, including:
- buildings insurance
- specialist staff
- repairing and maintaining communal areas
- cleaning
- gardening
- maintaining lifts
- alarm systems
- health and safety
Our budgeting strategy for your development also ensures you have the money for longer-term projects and unexpected one-off costs, such as redecorating your building, replacing windows or installing new heating systems.
How we work them out
We base our annual service charges on a very simple formula: how much did it cost us to provide services to your development last year, and what do we think it will cost this year. We talk it all through with you at a specially-arranged meeting, and agree a figure that’s fair to all sides.
The easiest way to pay is by direct debit, which allows you to spread the cost over the whole year. If you prefer, you can write a cheque or set up a standing order for the whole lot in one go. You can also make online payments straight from your bank to ours: the details are on the back of your invoice.
Paying on time matters, because your share helps provide essential services to everyone in your development. We know, though, that circumstances may mean you’ve fallen behind, or simply forgotten to pay. Please don’t worry: just contact our Finance Department on 01252 356016 straightaway. They will talk you though your options, and help you make a plan to get back on track.
Please note At Ethical Leasehold Management/Retirement Lease Housing Association your online security is of paramount importance to us. For those leaseholders that choose to make payment by bank transfer or direct debit please note that we will never ask for you to make changes to bank details via email, should you receive a request via email to make any changes to the ELM/RLHA bank account details and/or to transfer any funds please do not respond to the email and inform us immediately”
