What is a service charge?

As owner of the block and land Soha is responsible for the upkeep of the structure, exterior and communal parts of the block and for providing services. You will be recharged (in accordance with your lease) a proportion of the costs that are incurred in providing these services. This is called a service charge.

What is an annual service charge?

Annual service charges cover the day-to-day repairs and maintenance, improvements major works and any services provided. The proportion of costs you pay will depend on your lease. You will be charged for:

• Day to day repairs – the emergency, urgent and one-off non-urgent repairs done to the block (not including repairs to the interior of Soha tenants’ homes).
• Maintenance – this includes servicing of equipment in communal areas and preventative works.
• Major works – From time to time your block will need large repairs or improvements carried out such as external decoration, replacement windows or roof repairs. You will be consulted about this type of work if the cost to you will exceed £250.
• Services – Services shared by your flat and others in the block or a wider area, such as grounds maintenance, cleaning of communal areas, electricity for communal lighting, management and buildings insurance.

When will I receive my annual service charge bill?

The service charge year runs from 1 April to 31 March each year. Any costs that arise during that year are calculated and the accounts are sent out in July. Half of the annual charge is payable in July and the other half the following January.

How can I pay?

You can pay your service charge invoice:

By cheque payable to “Soha Housing Limited” in the post. By cash, cheque or debit card in person at the cash office at Royal Scot House. The cash office opening hours are:- Monday, 9am to 4pm; Wednesday, 10am to 1pm; Friday, 9am to 4pm. By direct debit. Please contact Leaseholder Services on 01235 515900. By debit or credit card over the phone. Please tell Customer Services that you wish to make a card payment. Please note that credit card payments will incur a transaction fee of 2%.

When making a payment please quote your account number. You will find this on your service charge invoice.

What will happen if I don’t pay my service charge account?

If you are having difficulties paying your service charges please contact us immediately to let us know. We can discuss the way forward and if necessary work out a payment plan for you.

It is very important that you take action as failure to pay service charges is a serious breach of your lease.

We will send you reminders before we take any further action and give you the chance to explain why you are not paying the bills. If you disagree with any part of your charges, we will do our best to deal with the problem. If we are satisfied that the services you have been charged for have not been provided to a reasonable standard, we will reduce the charges.

If you are having financial difficulties, we may allow you to pay in instalments. If you are eligible for Income Support your claim should include details of your service charges and the ground rent.

If we do not think that you have a good enough reason for not paying your full service charges, we may take action in the county court to get the money from you and to take back the lease.

Prior to taking court action we will advise your mortgage provider of our intentions.

If the court agrees that you have broken the conditions of your lease, you must pay the charges plus interest. You will also be liable for our legal costs.

If you do not pay within the time allowed by the court, we will apply to repossess your flat and you could be evicted. If you lose your home in this way, we do not have to find you a new home because you will be considered ‘intentionally homeless’.