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Service Charges and Paying by Instalments: Should a ManCo Allow Monthly Payments?

If you live in a block of flats, you’ll know that service charges are one of the biggest costs leaseholders face. For many people, paying a large bill in one go can feel daunting, especially with rising costs everywhere. It’s no surprise that leaseholders often ask i...

Read    24/09/2025

Service Charge and Buildings Insurance: The Risk of Under-Insurance and Claims Averaging

When you live in a block of flats, buildings insurance is one of the biggest costs covered by the service charge. It’s there to protect the block if something goes badly wrong – a fire, a flood, or major structural damage. But here’s the catch: if the building is und...

Read    24/09/2025

Service Charges and the PPM (Planned Preventative Maintenance) Diary Are Inextricably Linked - Here's Why

If you live in a block of flats or help run one as a director, you’ll know that service charges often feel like a never-ending balancing act. One of the best tools to keep things under control is to put together and track a PPM (Planned Preventative Maintenance) diar...

Read    24/09/2025

Help for ManCo Directors in Setting the Service Charge Budget: What You Need to Know

If you’re a director of a Residents’ Management Company (ManCo), one of your biggest jobs each year is setting the service charge that you want to collect, AKA the service charge budget. It might sound straightforward – add up the bills and divide them between the fl...

Read    24/09/2025

Service Charge Arrears: : Forfeiture or County Court Judgement? What's the bet route for a Residents' ManCo?

Service charge arrears are one of the biggest headaches for directors of a Residents’ Management Company (ManCo). Without 100% of the service charges being collected, the block will simply not have sufficient cash in the bank to function – insurance, cleaning, and re...

Read    24/09/2025

RTM Directors Alert: Why RTM Costs Are Not Service Charge Costs

Taking on the Right to Manage (RTM) can feel empowering – finally, leaseholders get control over how their block is run. But with that control comes responsibility, and sometimes confusion. One common mistake is assuming that RTM company costs, like filing accounts, ...

Read    24/09/2025

RTM Directors Alert: Struggling to Self Manage Service Charges? There is Another Way?

If you’re a director of a Right to Manage (RTM) company, you already know it’s not always easy. The idea sounds great – leaseholders take control of their block, no more dealing with an unresponsive freeholder, or managing agent who can’t seem to be bothered. The att...

Read    24/09/2025

Life After Right to Manage: Understanding Service Charge Accounts vs RTM Company Accounts

So, you and your neighbours have claimed the Right to Manage (RTM). Great news – you’re now in charge of running your block. But here’s where things can get confusing: accounts. Leaseholders often ask why they’re given service charge accounts and RTM company accounts...

Read    24/09/2025

Service Charge Arrears: Forfeiture or County Court Judgement?

For freehold management companies (ManCos) and resident directors, service charge arrears are one of the biggest headaches. Without service charges, the block can’t function – no cleaning, no insurance, no repairs. So, when leaseholders don’t pay, the ManCo has to ac...

Read    23/09/2025

Service Charges Per Square Foot: Does It Really Make Sense?

If you own a flat, chances are you’ve heard people comparing service charges on a ‘per square foot’ basis. It sounds simple: divide the total charge by the size of the flat and compare with another building. But is it really that straightforward? In reality, service ...

Read    23/09/2025

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