Calculating your service charges

Service charges are calculated using a living space factor. We give every property a living space factor based on the number of bedrooms in the property. We then use this to work out your share of the total charges.

For services provided to your block, we work out your share of the total block charge by comparing your living space factor with the total number of living space factors for the block that benefit from those services.

Example of service charge calculations

Mr and Mrs J Bloggs live at 25 Saffron Close on Queens Park Estate in a 2 bed flat. Queens Park Estate is made up of 2 blocks 1-30 and 31-60 Saffron Close. Each block comprises of 30 x 2 bedroom units which is represented by a living space factor of 4.0 per unit.

Living space factor calculation

Mr and Mrs Bloggs’ Block Living Space Factor for 1-30 Saffron Close is 30 flats x 4.0 = 120.

Total block living space factor of Saffron Close is 120 x 2 = 240.

Estate % calculation

Estate %: 4.0 divided by 240 x 100 = 1.6666%.

Block % calculations

Block %: 4.0 divided by 120 x 100 = 3.3333%.

Costs based on actual service charges for 2006-07:

• estate roads footpaths and drainage total cost is £51.08
• block cleaning total cost is £875.73

Proportion against your estate and block

Mr and Mrs Bloggs’ share of the estate roads footpaths and drainage charge is £51.08 x 1.6666% = £0.85.

Mr and Mrs Bloggs’ share of the block cleaning charge is £875.73 x 3.3333% = £29.19.

For more information contact our Service Charges Team.