“De-pooling” your service charges – what does this mean for me?
We have recently conducted a survey regarding proposed changes to the way we calculate and apply service charges and your answers will be used to inform a decision due to be made by district councillors in Autumn 2025. Not all tenants will pay a service charge which is separate from the rent. Service charges are required to meet the cost of services such as grounds maintenance, communal area heating and cleaning. If you live in a block of flats or Independent Living scheme it is likely that you will pay a service charge.
Tenants currently pay a flat rate ‘pooled’ service charge, which doesn't cover the actual services they receive in the flat they live in. We are working on what will be a fairer way of sharing out the service charges. This process is known as ‘de-pooling’, which breaks down the cost into each individual service element, enabling tenants to find out exactly how much they are paying for the specific services they receive in their block or scheme.
Service charges for communal services are classed as eligible for Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. The service charges can be included within any claim a tenant makes. We will be writing to all tenants that currently pay a service charge to let them know more about this important change before any new charges will be applied from 1st April 2026 next year.
If you are concerned about the affordability of charges, then it’s very important that you contact us as soon as possible so we can help and support you. If you are worried about this, please contact our Income team on 01303 853300. You can also find out more about the support we can offer on our website at folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/help-support-cost-living. You will find an update about this project in the January newsletter.