- Management and administration costs
Staff time, office running costs and overheads relating to managing and maintaining your home and administering your Leaseholder account are all covered within this charge.
- Day-to-day individual repairs
This is the charge for any repairs carried out solely to your flat during the previous year.
- Day-to-day/responsive block repairs
This charge covers the share of the cost of day to day/responsive repairs carried out to the ‘common parts’ of the block in which you live, for example roofs, gutters, stairways, landings, and the cost of removing dumped rubbish.
The charge for the current year, from 1st April to 31st March, will reflect the work carried out and the costs incurred during the previous year; this allows us to calculate costs as accurately as possible.
The schedule of service charges sent with the April invoices only includes costs for 1st April to 31st December of the previous year because those are the only figures available to us at that time. The final full annual cost of day to day repairs will be shown on an amended schedule, which will be included with the second invoices issued in October.
Your October invoices will also include adjustments to cover the cost of any work carried out between January and March.
There may be years when no day to day repairs are carried out on your block; therefore, there will not be a charge in the following year. There may also be years where there are a number of repairs, or repairs of an expensive nature, in which case there may be a high charge for the year.
This charge is for your share of the cost of any recurring programme of major planned repairs or maintenance to the block you live in. This may include painting of stairways and landings, maintenance of UPVC windows, fascias and soffits etc.
If the block you live in is included in a programme of works, we must consult you about the proposals before work can begin, if the cost is above a certain amount.
We will tell you about the work, its likely cost and ask for your views. This is known as Section 20 Consultation and forms Section 151 of The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. If we don’t consult you prior to the work commencing, we can’t recharge you the full cost of the work.
Works of this type are often expensive; if you are concerned about the payments, please contact us as we can offer payment plans or loans towards the cost.
The Integrated Reception System (IRS) supplies a television, satellite and radio signal to each property without the need for individual satellite dishes and aerials (which are not permitted to be fitted to the exterior of buildings). To have full access to satellite or digital broadcasts you must buy your own set top box and pay any subscription costs. The charge for this service is reviewed annually and is the same as that made to tenants. Our contractor, Technical and Electrical Services Ltd, installs the IRS system.
If you have any problems with the system, or to have this installed, please contact our Repairs Hotline on 0800 073 0184.
Only flats located in a block and included in the block or window cleaning contract will be charged for these services. The window cleaning refers to the communal parts of some blocks, not to your own windows.
This charge is for your share of the annual contract price for the communal green spaces on the area in which your flat is located, and is equally divided between all tenants and leaseholders who have the benefit of these green areas.
Our contractors do not usually undertake grounds maintenance of ‘enclosed garden areas’, although there are a small number of properties where this is carried out. If your property is included this will be reflected in an additional charge to your account.
There is a fixed charge of £10 per year which is included in the invoices sent out each April.
When you buy your flat, your buildings insurance is automatically arranged by BCH.
The cost of this insurance is included in the invoices you receive every April.
You should arrange your own home contents insurance to cover your personal items; this is not covered by the buildings insurance.
We have agreed an easy, affordable SIMPLE Contents Insurance scheme with Royal and Sun Alliance for our tenants and leaseholders where you can pay Royal and Sun Alliance directly.
If you would like further information on this scheme you can contact the Homeownership team or call Royal and Sun Alliance on 0845 6718 172.
These charges are only made to flats receiving the benefit of these particular services.
- Miscellaneous service charges
From 10th August 2015, BCH/Blackpool Council introduced the following fees and charges for work we carry out which is not included in your annual service charges.
These must be paid in advance of the service requested and the information/consent will not be released until payment is received.
| Service |
Cost
|
| Enquiries relating to assigning/selling your lease (usually requested by your solicitor) |
£75.00 |
| Notice of assignment registration |
£100.00 |
| First request for a copy of your lease (paper or electronic) |
£5.00 |
| Subsequent requests for copies of your lease (paper or electronic) |
£6.00 (inc VAT) |
| Consent/retrospective for internal or external works |
£50.00 |
| Consent/retrospective for internal or external works if visit(s) required |
£100.00 |