Your questions answered

According to your lease service charges are payable monthly and details of how to pay can be found here.

Estimated service charges are worked out each March and charged monthly starting in April. Every September the previous years' charges are balanced and a debit or credit is added to your account for immediate payment.

Once you purchase a property in a building containing more than one property you become responsible for your share of the costs of maintaining and managing that building.

The administration fee covers the costs of working out your service charges and major works. These costs include preparing and administering service charges, carrying out statutory consultation for major works, answering communication from leaseholders, and collection of the relevant charges.

We review the service charges every year prior to the estimated service charges being sent out in April. The increase is worked out by taking into account the previous year’s costs and expected increases in inflation costs.

If you do not agree with the service charges you should bring this to our attention and an investigation will be carried out regarding any disputed charges. If you do not agree with the result, you can get a second opinion from the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. There is a link to their web site at the bottom of the page.

If your account is in arrears you will be sent a letter reminding you to pay. It is very important that you get in touch with us so that we can help you clear your account. If you ignore this letter or any further letters, we may approach your lender or take you to the county court. We will always explore other options before taking this course of action, but ultimately you could be at risk of losing your property.

We are responsible for repairing everything on the outside of the block and everything in the communal area. This includes the roof, chimneys, gutters, rain water pipes, drains, outside walls, boundary walls and fences, shared gates and pathways. Also staircases, flooring and lighting on the inside. Leaseholders are then charged their share of the cost.

You are responsible for repairing everything inside your property including all services, repairs plumbing and glazing. You are also responsible for the servicing and repairs of your heating system unless you have a landlord supply.

You can:

• phone 0800 519 19 19 (Option 4)
• e-mail: housing.repairs@southampton.gov.uk
• Online using the link at the bottom of this page

When you become a leaseholder it is compulsory to take out buildings insurance cover with the council, and the premiums are included in your service charges. The ‘Statement of Cover’ issued to you at the time of purchase will give you details on how to make a claim.

Copies of all documents relating to insurance can be viewed under 'downloadable documents' below.