FOI/EIR 25/26-480-Service Charges

Policy or procedure for checking service charges in HB claims

Request received 12 January 2026

Please could you supply the following information requested under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

  1. The policy or procedure for checking the legitimacy of service charges where a resident is claiming benefits to cover them.
  2. The number of housing benefit or universal credit claimants whose service charges are paid directly to their landlord, including where this is a single payment incorporating rents plus service charges.
  3. The proportion of the above whose landlords are housing associations, if recorded.

Responded 2 February 2026

  1. Service charges are considered in line with the Housing Benefit Regulation 2006, Regulation 12 and Schedule 1

    The council determines which charges are eligible and reasonable based on the information provided by the landlord or provider and based on the services by provided by the by either the landlord directly or on the landlord's behalf. For specified accommodation, the landlord must complete a questionnaire which details the purpose and provisions of the scheme.

    In terms of the charges listed by the landlord these are eligible based on Housing Benefit regulations as previously detailed. The LA does examine each element of the service charge to ensure it is reasonable, not duplicated and provides a service to the residents. Schemes are compared to those than provide a similar service in the area.  When reviewing service charges, the council follows DWP guidance which stipulates service charges should be connected to providing adequate accommodation. For example, lift maintenance: such a charge would be eligible if this met the requirements of the customers within the property. If the landlord or provider levied this charge without providing this service, both the customer and the council would be paying an incorrect accommodation charge. The council is unable to visit every scheme, but where there is doubt concerning the charges levied but this remains an option, as does restricting the accommodation charge if the charge is unreasonable or the service is not provided. 

  2. 52 cases paid direct to landlord
  3. 47 are paid to a HA