service charge on council house

daniel-2412

thank you all for your help i have managed to sort my issue now

eddddy

Is the letter addressed to you by name - or is it addressed to "The Occupier" or "The Owner" or something like that?

Normally, the service charge isn't the responsibility of a renter (like yourself), it's the responsibility of the owner of the house - which is probably the council.

Do you know if the whole estate owned by the council, or have the council just bought one house on the estate to rent to you?

It may be that the management company have sent the letter to the council telling them they need to pay £24 per month, but sent a copy to your property 'just in case'.


I guess you should contact the council to clarify.

Copstaasty1234

Please don’t feel like you have to explain yourself and why this is worrying- I’m sure most people on here would sympathise with you given your situation.

I’d get straight to the council/Housing Association and ask them to investigate. That’s almost £300 a year extra and it would be really unusual for them to expect you to pay that. I agree with the above that it might be an error from the management company. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! 

MalMonroe

Hi, I'm really sorry you're having such a struggle.

As others have said, it would be best if you contact the council, and discuss this with them.

I am also a council tenant and all service charges (for things like communal grass cutting) are included in my rent. As are water charges. Other charges, such as those you have described - "maintaining a park that has a swing and a wooden bridge on it, and they have to upkeep a newly planted tree area" are covered by my council tax payments.

According to the internet, EWS are a residential management company so are they acting on behalf of the council, or in place of the council? Although they say your landlord has put them in charge of taking the payment of £24 per month, you need to be informed of this by your landlord, in writing. As you say, there was no mention of that when you signed up. What does it say in your tenants information booklet? You should have been given one when you signed up.

I assume that if you have a disability you are entitled to claim benefits - which should include help with rent and council tax - and all other bills, including this new, unexpected one. If indeed it is a valid charge.

Your council housing department should be able to give you the answers you need. Good luck. 

Norman_Castle

As above the service charge is normally included in the rent and if on benefits they will be increased to cover them. Its likely the letter is for information only, not a request for payment.  If this is not included in the rent it should still be covered as its an unavoidable cost linked to your property. Keep all correspondence from them, its likely the benefits agency will want proof of this charge.

daniel-2412

thank you all for your replies, i am sorry but i am a little confused, though it is a council house it is through saffron housing but i/ they are under south norfolk council so who do i ask please. thank you all again

Maskface

I pay a service charge in my rent as a council tenant, it’s included in the rent. If you get universal credit which pays your rent you just pay the service charge and universal credit covers the rent. 

Maskface

Norman_Castle said:

As above the service charge is normally included in the rent and if on benefits they will be increased to cover them. Its likely the letter is for information only, not a request for payment.  If this is not included in the rent it should still be covered as its an unavoidable cost linked to your property. Keep all correspondence from them, its likely the benefits agency will want proof of this charge.

Universal credit only covers the rent, not the service charge. I pay my service charge separately, universal credit just covers the rent itself they don’t pay the service charge. 

daniel-2412

thank you for telling me

daniel-2412

thank you i will look. i appreciate you all for replying

Norman_Castle

Maskface said:

Norman_Castle said:

As above the service charge is normally included in the rent and if on benefits they will be increased to cover them. Its likely the letter is for information only, not a request for payment.  If this is not included in the rent it should still be covered as its an unavoidable cost linked to your property. Keep all correspondence from them, its likely the benefits agency will want proof of this charge.

Universal credit only covers the rent, not the service charge. I pay my service charge separately, universal credit just covers the rent itself they don’t pay the service charge. 

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Eligible-rent-for-Housing-Benefit-and-service-charges

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
• children’s play areas

These lists are not exhaustive; other service charges may be included or excluded in your eligible rent.

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/housing/

Service charges

Some people are expected to pay a service charge on their rented property, in addition to their normal monthly rent.

If you have to pay a service charge this will be shown on your service charge statement from your landlord. Universal Credit can help towards this cost, but you will need to show evidence of any service charges that you have to pay.

OP, Contact your benefits provider and explain the situation.