Service charge question

tln111

Hi,
I have a practical question and would be extremely grateful for any advice.
I am a leaseholder of one of four flats in our building and have one share in the leasehold management company. I had arranged with the landlord who is also a director of our management company that I would clean the common parts of the building for an agreed small charge (a cleaning firm would charge us much more than I do), and was deducting my fees from my service charges every time I got the bill (every 3 months). The arrangement was made about 10 months ago.
Now, the bills for service charges I have been receiving are for the same amount as for all the other leaseholders, but surely they must be lower in order to avoid the situation where I am charged for my own work/ paid less for the work I am doing than have been arranged?? I hope it does not sound too confusing and would appreciate an advice. Thanks.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Did the other residents agree, and do you have it in writing?

Claire_Nadine

Read your lease. The lease is a legal binding document and any verbal arrangements mean nothing. It is likely to state that all residents have to pay equal share of the service charge no matter what.

The only way around your arrangement is that it is agreed by the other residents at the AGM and you invoice the management company for your services. I am not an expert in this field but we recently have had a similar experience with our service charge and the management company are oblidged to comply with the lease of charging all residents the same amount.