If you rent a flat, you may be asked to pay service charges on top of your rent. They cover the cost of looking after shared areas and services in the
On this page
- What is a service charge?
- Who pays service charges: tenants or leaseholders?
- Must service charges be reasonable?
- Can I challenge a service charge?
- What right do I have to information about service charges?
- Are service charges the same as ground rent?
- When should I contact Support for Tenants?
- Sources
- Related articles
If you rent a flat, you may be asked to pay service charges on top of your rent. They cover the cost of looking after shared areas and services in the building. It helps to know what can legally be charged, and how to challenge charges that are too high. Here are the rules.
What is a service charge?
A service charge is a payment by tenants or leaseholders towards services for the building or shared areas. These can include:
- Building maintenance and repairs
- Cleaning of communal areas
- Gardening and grounds maintenance
- Buildings insurance (the landlord's insurance for the structure)
- Management fees charged by a managing agent
- Utilities for communal areas (lighting in corridors, etc.)
- Major works and improvements to the building
Service charges are in addition to rent. They vary enormously between properties.
Who pays service charges: tenants or leaseholders?
Service charges usually go with leaseholders, people who own a long lease on their flat. But some private tenancy agreements include a service charge too, especially in blocks with managed shared areas.
If your tenancy agreement says you must pay a service charge, you are obliged to pay it subject to the legal rules below.
Must service charges be reasonable?
Yes. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, service charges must be:
- Reasonably incurred: you do not have to pay for services never properly provided, or for work that was not needed
- Of a reasonable standard: if work was done, the standard must match the cost charged
- Backed by proper accounts: you have a right to inspect the accounts and receipts behind the charges
Can I challenge a service charge?
Yes. If you believe a service charge is unreasonable, you can ask the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide whether it is payable. The Tribunal can cut or throw out charges it finds unreasonable.
You can also hold back service charges you genuinely believe are not payable. But if you are wrong, you risk proceedings against you. Get advice before holding back payment.
What right do I have to information about service charges?
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you have a right to:
- Receive a written summary of the costs that make up your service charge
- Inspect accounts, receipts, and other documents supporting the service charge
If the landlord does not provide this information within a reasonable time of you asking, they may not be entitled to collect the charge until they do.
Are service charges the same as ground rent?
No. Ground rent is a separate payment under a long lease. For newer leases (since June 2022), ground rent is limited by law. Service charges are different: they cover actual services, and they must be reasonable.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. Are you paying service charges that cover maintenance, while the shared areas or your flat sit in disrepair your landlord will not fix? You may have a claim.
Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
Related articles
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
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