Service charges
How to challenge a service charge
The steps, in order, from a question to the tribunal.
Reviewed by Mark Cunningham AssocRICS MTPI MIFSM, Leasehold Director. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.
Most disputes are settled by asking the right question early. Here is the route, in order.
- Check the lease. Is the item chargeable, and is the share right?
- Ask for information. You can request a summary of costs (s21) and inspect invoices and receipts (s22).
- Raise it in writing with the managing agent, and use its complaints procedure.
- Take free advice from LEASE, the Leasehold Advisory Service.
- Apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) under s27A to decide whether the charge is payable and reasonable.
Keep paying the parts you do not dispute. Unpaid charges can lead to arrears action even while a query is open.
You can also ask the tribunal to limit the landlord's legal costs being added to the service charge (s20C) or to your own account.
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