Leasehold Service Charges

Owners of flats and maisonettes that were originally purchased under the Right to Buy scheme, receive service charge bills from the Council. These charges cover the owners' share of the costs incurred by the landlord in managing, maintaining, repairing and improving the structure and communal parts of the block to which the purchased dwelling forms a part of.

What the service charges pay for

  • Caretaking: The caretaking service varies from estate to estate and block to block, so do the charges.
  • Maintenance of communal gardens: Some blocks have a communal garden and pathways specifically for the enjoyment of the residents. The Council maintains these.
  • Communal electricity: You contribute to communal electricity for your block. This includes corridors and staircases, lift running costs or other communal appliances within your block.
  • TV aerial: To provide communal TV facilities.
  • Lifts: To provide routine maintenance and servicing.
  • City wide alarm system: If you are connected to this system you will be charged for it as part of your service charges. To be disconnected from this service you have to give notice in writing to the Council, and will be charged for disconnecting.
  • Door entry system:  A telephone / intercom system used to make the entrance to your block more secure.

Block repairs, maintenance and improvements

As well as the services mentioned above, your service charge also includes payment for responsive day-to-day repairs, which are needed for the common areas of the block.

For example, this could include electrical repairs to staircase lighting, repairs to the refuse disposal systems or minor repairs carried out to the structure of common areas of the block.

Occasionally more substantial work will need to be done on your block, such as painting, major roof repairs, full window replacement scheme, etc.

Such work is planned in advance (rather than responsive) and is prioritised and planned by your Area Housing Office, in conjunction with the Building Maintenance Unit.  We will advise you before any such work is started, and ask you for your views.

Improvement programmes are reviewed regularly due to changing priorities and the availability of finance. For example, if a roof deteriorates sooner than expected this work may have to be brought forward. This may mean that other works programmed for that year have to be delayed somewhat.

Other Charges

As well as service charges, you will receive charges for buildings insurance and ground rent.  If your dwelling is connected to the Council’s district heating system you will also receive a charge for this.

Making Payments

To find out how to pay your leasehold service charges please telephone 0161 770 4927.

Contact Details

For more information please email: fcho.homeowners@oldham.gov.uk