Telephone: 020 7245 2000 After hours / emergency line: 020 7286 7412

• Home
• |
• My home
• |
• I am a leaseholder
• |
• Can I get help with paying my service charges?

Can I get help with paying my service charges?

It is important that you pay your service charge when it is due. If you do not, you may risk losing your home.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your service charges it is important to contact your leasehold management finance officer as soon as possible.

Your leasehold management finance officer will help you come to an agreement to clear any arrears by regular instalments. If you cannot keep to an agreement you have made even for one payment you should contact your leasehold management finance officer.

If we write to you about service charge, please respond immediately, or this could result in your case being referred to our solicitors for non-payment of your service charge account.

If you would like extra help to manage your money and advice on benefits, your local estate officer can refer you to an independent specialist debt counselling agency.

Income support

This is a means tested benefit to help people pay their service charges. The amount of help you receive will depend on your income.

To find out if you qualify for income support you should contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Alternatively, to seek advice or make a claim you can phone

0845 603 6347 or 0800 055 6688 (8am - 6pm). Text phone service is 0800 0234 8888.

Further information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk

If you receive income support it is very important that you tell the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) if your circumstances change because it may affect the amount you receive.

This benefit usually covers all your day to day service charges but will not  cover, heating or hot water charges that may be included in your service charges (or charges for sheds, garages or parking spaces).

Please be aware the ultimate responsibility for ensuring your service charges are paid on time is yours.

Download a copy of our leaflet called Paying your service charges.