Council tenants

You may have to pay service charges in addition to your rent each week. These are charges towards the cost of looking after your housing, and will show separately on your rent advice.

Service charges can be for:

• caretaking services
• concierge services

Other charges can include:

• garage rent
• heating charge
• water charge
• home contents insurance
• lift maintenance and repair
• secure door entry
• heating and lighting in communal areas

You will only be charged for services you receive.

If you don't receive a service, you won't be charged for it – for example, if you live in a block without lifts, you will not be charged for a lift.

Weekly service charge amounts

Caretaking and concierge charges depend on service hours and the types of service provided.

Other service charges include the following.

Communal electricity charges at Bruyns Court will continue to be included in a combined charge with other facilities and not charged separately.

The weekly charges above do not apply to tenants in sheltered housing.

Sheltered housing service charges

There is a weekly service charge of £10 for all tenants in sheltered housing.

Paying your rent and charges

You must pay services charges with your regular rent payment. There are a number of easy ways to pay your rent – go to how to pay your rent and charges.

Help to manage your money

Services charges can be included in your Housing Benefit claim if you receive Housing Benefits.

If you don't qualify for Housing Benefit because your income is slightly above the required amount needed to be eligible, you may re-apply when your service charge amounts change and include the new amount in the overall rent for your claim.

If you have difficulties paying your rent and charges, we can talk with you about your budget and give advice to help you make sure you can pay – go to difficulties with your rent.