Query re: Service charge for flat

patman99

Hi,
I am on JSA, and was wondering if I am entitled to extra payments to cover the service charge on my flat?. I did send-off a covering letter & statement of payments (provided by the managing company), but that was 2 weeks ago. As yet, have heard nothing.

bunny999

You can't get any help with service charge.

PlutoinCapricorn

I thought that "housing benefits" for jobseekers included mortgage interest or rent; council tax and service charges: perhaps things have changed in recent years.

Some service charge payers pay extra into a sink fund for future major works: JSA would not cover much of this. Surely the object is to enable people to stay in their homes.

katiesmummy

When I lived in my flat and claimed hb the service charges weren't covered- mine were for the cleaning of the block (an 18 storey tower block) and water rates.

My friend lives in a ha flat and her service charges aren't included in hb either & hers is for water rates, cleaning and electricity.

patman99

Basically, if I don't pay them, then the flat can (and will) be repossesed as it is considered to be an essential bill and is linked to the lease. In the past (16-odd years ago) it was considered as important as the mortgage and was paid by the JC+, however things move-on. Hence the post.

Jowo_2

Here's an explanation of the types of service charges not accepted for the purposes of claiming HB/LHA

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_calculations#7

"Local housing allowance payments can cover your rent and some service charges, if you have to pay them in order to continue living in the property.
It cannot be used to pay charges for heating, hot water, lighting, laundry or cooking."

This indicates that some services charges are acceptable. OP - have you filled in a separate claim for HB/LHA?

patman99

My service charges cover buildings insurance (covers for damage to kitchen and bathroom), external maintanence (repairs to my walls, door and windows) and gardening.

dmg24

Jowo wrote: »

Here's an explanation of the types of service charges not accepted for the purposes of claiming HB/LHA

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_calculations#7

"Local housing allowance payments can cover your rent and some service charges, if you have to pay them in order to continue living in the property.
It cannot be used to pay charges for heating, hot water, lighting, laundry or cooking."

This indicates that some services charges are acceptable. OP - have you filled in a separate claim for HB/LHA?

The OP owns the property so would not be eligible for LHA.

OP, your service charges will be assessed as part of your SMI claim. As long as they are reasonable they should be covered (with the exceptions noted by Jowo), however there is a thirteen week waiting period before you will receive payment for them.

AsknAnswer2

But does he own the property? From this post I am confused:

patman99 wrote: »

Basically, if I don't pay them, then the flat can (and will) be repossesed as it is considered to be an essential bill and is linked to the lease. In the past (16-odd years ago) it was considered as important as the mortgage and was paid by the JC+, however things move-on. Hence the post.

Repossession applies to properties on mortgage. Lease applies to rental. Which is it?

dmg24

AsknAnswer2 wrote: »

But does he own the property? From this post I am confused:




Repossession applies to properties on mortgage. Lease applies to rental. Which is it?

Lease also applies to leasehold flat.

Jowo_2

dmg24 wrote: »

Lease also applies to leasehold flat.

Yes, in England (don't know about Wales) most flats are leased to the owners, a freeholder actually owns the property whereas in Scotland, they don't have this distinction.