Guidance on Service charges

KingsArms

Hi All,

Your guidance would be appreciated.

I have a 1-bedroom flat, and the service charges for the year to March 2027 total £ 2622.29. The invoice was issued on 16th April 2026 seeking immediate payment. I've gone back to them before and said they are not invoicing in accordance with the lease, which states payment should be twice yearly (24th June & 25th December), so that seems pretty simple.

However, in June this year they issued two additional charges for £ 521.50 describing it as a "balancing charge for the year ending March 2025", and in September they've invoiced another £ 433 describing that as a "balancing charge for the year ending March 2026". So basically another nearly £1,000 to find on top of the normal service charge. I've seen comments on the 18-month rule, so I appear to be stuck with it.

So my questions are :

1. Apart from an invoice, I've received no backup to explain the additional charges. What are they obligated to provide in relation to additional charges esp when they are such a high percentage of the base service charge ie an additional 36 % ?
2. The lease is silent on additional charges, so what would be a reasonable payment term?