service charge on council house

elsien

OP has deleted their post which is a shame as the answers may have been useful to someone else. 

nyermen

Wish MSE could put something in place to block post editing after a set period of time.  

Maskface

Norman_Castle said:

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.

I'm on universal credit. They don't pay my service charge. I have to pay it myself. They don't increase my money to cover it and made it clear to me it was my responsibility to pay it. Is that wrong then? 

Norman_Castle

Maskface said:

Norman_Castle said:

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.

I'm on universal credit. They don't pay my service charge. I have to pay it myself. They don't increase my money to cover it and made it clear to me it was my responsibility to pay it. Is that wrong then? 

Possibly, provide the above to universal credit. Exactly what does your service charge pay for?

Maskface

Norman_Castle said:

Maskface said:

Norman_Castle said:

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.

I'm on universal credit. They don't pay my service charge. I have to pay it myself. They don't increase my money to cover it and made it clear to me it was my responsibility to pay it. Is that wrong then? 

Possibly, provide the above to universal credit. Exactly what does your service charge pay for?

It's generally caretaking, maintenance, window cleaning, gardening, tree works etc. 

daniel-2412

please understand i am a victim of abuse and i deleted my post once people were kind enough to help. as i could not delete the post i deleted the content. thank you all once again.