As part of your tenancy or licence agreement, you agree to pay a rental charge. This charge not only covers your rent but also includes an element known as service charges, which contribute to the costs of services we provide to maintain your building and communal areas.

What Do Service Charges Cover?

Service charges help us cover a range of essential services, which may include (but are not limited to):

• Repairs and maintenance for shared areas within the building
• Cleaning and upkeep of communal spaces (common in supported accommodation or apartment blocks)
• Grounds maintenance, such as gardening (if provided)
• Building insurance
• Caretaker services (if applicable)
• Door entry systems (if installed)

Personal Service Charges:
If you live in a building with shared facilities—such as a communal heating system, kitchens, or bathrooms—you may also be required to pay a personal service charge. Please note that personal service charges are not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (Housing Element), and you’ll need to pay these separately.

If you’d like more information about your rent payments or what’s included in your rental charge, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at info@sighousingtrust.org.uk