Your service charges
If you pay service charges, you should now have received your service charge summary. This explains what you pay for each service.
As a tenant, you pay a fixed service charge, which means:
- Your charge is set for 12 months (April to March)
- The amount stays the same throughout the year
- Charges are based on the most recent actual cost of providing each service
How we calculate your charges
Your share of the cost depends on how many homes receive a service. For example, if 10 homes share a service, each home pays one tenth of the cost.
Some costs are already included in your rent and are not part of your service charge. Depending on your tenancy agreement, you may also pay separate charges for utilities to your own home or intensive housing management.
Worried about affordability?
If you are concerned about affordability, you may be eligible for support from the Tenant Support Fund.
Contact the income team on 01303 853300 or email housing.service@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk for help and support.
Frequently asked questions
Are service charges covered by benefits?
Most communal service charges are eligible for Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. Charges for services to your own home are not covered.
I don’t receive benefits — what does this mean for me?
If you currently pay charges yourself, this will continue. If your circumstances change, contact us for help.
Why do I have to pay a service charge?
Service charges pay for communal services that help maintain your building or estate such as cleaning, caretaking and shared utilities. Fore more information read our Tenant handbook – service charges