Last updated: 5 July 2023

What are service charges?

As a leaseholder, service charges are your share of the costs of maintaining your block and services.

These services include:

  • ground rent and buildings insurance
  • routine repairs, cleaning, maintenance, major repairs and improvements
  • electricity charges for any shared areas, for example, lighting, power to lifts and entry systems
  • administration charges

Ways to pay your service charges

Online

The most convenient way to pay your service charges is online.

Standing order or direct debit

To set up a monthly standing order, contact  0208 496 3000 or alternatively you can use the bank details below:

  • Account number 03712060
  • Sort code 20-00-00
  • Account name: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Remember to quote your invoice number on the reference.

By phone

You can pay over the phone using your debit/ credit card. Make sure you have your invoice number with you when you call.

Phone 020 8496 3000 and select option two.

At your bank

Use the slip attached to your invoice to make sure that the payment reaches your service-charge account.

Remember to write your service-charge account number on the back of any cheques you send, or the payment may not reach your account.

How are service charges billed?

In April every year you’ll be sent an estimated bill of your service charges for the next 12 months.

This is an estimate. Your final bill won’t be known until 18 months later, usually in October.

Sometimes this bill is higher or lower than the estimate. If it’s higher, you’ll be billed for the shortfall. If it’s lower, we’ll reimburse you.

So for example, this year you’ll be sent a bill in April 2022 for service charges until March 2021, but the exact amount won't be known until October 2023.