We charge what is known as a ‘variable service charge’, meaning the charge is set at the start of the year. We take into account the actual costs incurred which provides an estimate for the year, and any under or overspends are taken into account the following year. If less is spent, the savings are passed on to the following year’s charge, and if more is spent the shortfall is recovered the following year.

Service charges will differ depending on the services required by residents. Some of the most common services are fire safety, grounds maintenance, cleaning, window cleaning and CCTV.

Grounds maintenance is the cost to maintain external communal areas that we are responsible for. Each scheme has a grounds maintenance schedule that details what needs to be done and how often. Some of the most common services are litter picking, grass cutting, hedge trimming, and bin store cleaning.  You can request your scheme schedule from the service charge team.

The grounds maintenance team is not contracted to pick up and dispose of waste, fly-tipping, or bulky items. Residents are responsible for disposing of waste in an appropriate way, in line with the local authority’s guidelines.  Bin stores and recycling areas should be used correctly, as this will make sure bins are collected without any issues.

If you need a large item to be removed, please contact your local authority. Where possible, we will identify residents who are not disposing waste correctly and apply a recharge to you for the removal of the waste. If we are not able to identify the person responsible, we will service charge to the whole estate.

Each scheme has a cleaning schedule that details what needs to be done and how often.  Some of the most common services are hoovering, mopping floors, cleaning skirtings and window sills, and internal window cleaning.  You can request your scheme schedule from the service charge team.

Some houses will pay a service charge, depending on the land the house is on.  On large estates, there can be communal areas that are maintained for the use of everyone on the scheme.

On some estates, the local authority and/or Welsh Water does not take responsibility for green areas, roads, water distribution/removal and health and safety.  In these cases, a management company is appointed to look after these areas.

Towards the end of each year, we review the services we charge for, as typically the costs of buildings and services increase annually. We send out a survey to residents to ask if the service charge costs are fair and reasonable and to hear your thoughts on the services you receive. If you have a comment or query about your service charge, you can contact us anytime here.