Service Charge Advice
Service Charge Consultancy
Whether you are levying service charges upon tenants or paying service charges as an occupier, Service Charge Associates offer to landlords, tenants and managing agents a thorough and informed review. We will analyse your data to highlight high cost areas and/or poor value for money and will identify the potential for efficiencies, together with possible savings, whilst promoting a fair and transparent service charge.
Depending on your requirements, we can offer a service charge review free of charge.
Our service charge reviews provide recommendations for further action. Should this be of interest, we can be appointed to take forward the issues highlighted and realise the opportunities to make changes in liaison with the managing agents/landlord and building occupiers.
Our aim is that communications between tenants and managing agents are improved, service standards are challenged and that best value is achieved.
Service Charge Audits
If your building seems to cost more than you feel it should or you would value a "health check" to assess how the service charge is being managed, a service charge audit will help provide a detailed appraisal.
Our service charge audits assess and comment on:
RICS compliance
Timeliness (and accuracy of) budgets, certificates and other information.
Transparency, communication and consultation.
Sinking / reserve fund collections.
Consistent use of cost codes.
Explanation of cost variances and clarity of information provided.
Lease compliance
Appropriateness of cost recovery, application of service charge caps and apportionments.
Consideration of alternative courses of action.
Proactivity in fulfilling lease obligations.
Value for money
Benchmarking.
Prospects for potential efficiency opportunities and economies.
Cost benefit assessments.
Tendering and market testing.
Financial compliance
Accuracy of financial accounting.
Compliance with service contract provisions and charging mechanisms.
Service Charge Set-up
Whether you are looking to start up a new service charge regime or overhaul an existing one, we can assist in providing you with technical advice, including:
Due diligence surveys.
Service contracts and procurement.
Apportionments.
Service charge budgets and accounting.
Service charge certificates.
Planned maintenance.
Sinking funds and cash flow planning.
RICS code compliance.
Management fee levels and scope.
Tenant meetings and consultation.
We have over 60 years experience in advising on service charge related matters and a team of qualified engineers and surveyors to work with you and your property team.