We know that service charges can seem complicated. It’s important that we’re clear about the services we provide and how we calculate your portion of the cost.
You will receive invoices for estimated service charges in March and an adjustment for actual service charges for the previous year in September.
Find out about estimated service charges and actual service charges
Estate charges
Your share of charges for works or services to your estate is calculated by dividing the total cost by the number of properties on the estate.
For example, if the total cost of carrying out repairs to your estate is £3,296 and there are 275 properties, your share of the cost of estate repairs will be £11.99.
Calculation: £3,296 / 275 = £11.99
Block charges
Your share of charges for works or services to your block is calculated by dividing the total cost by the number of properties in your block.
For example, if the total cost of caretaking to your block is £4,152 and there are 15 properties, your share of the cost of block caretaking will be £276.80.
Calculation: £4,152 / 15 = £276.80
Charges for newly built properties
Charges for works or services to a block are calculated in a different way for newly built properties . Instead of dividing the total cost by the number of properties, we divide the total floor area in the block by the floor area of your property.
For example:
Caretaking services for block = £7,000
Total block area = 3,670 metres squared
Total property area = 50 metres squared
Calculation: £7,000 / 3,670 x 50 = £95.37
Major works charges
Each property has a Rateable Value (RV) based on its size and location. Estate Rateable Values (ERV) are calculated by adding together the RVs for all the properties on the estate. Similarly Block Rateable Values (BRVs) are calculated by adding together the RVs for all the properties in the block.
We work out the cost for major works by using rateable values. We divide the cost of works to the estate by the ERV and multiply this by your property RV.
View an explanation of an estimated service charge invoice
Charges for individual services
Costs for each service can include:
- Direct costs
- Indirect costs
- Overheads
- Fixed fees
- Variable fees
Information about some of the most commonly queried services are included below. For full details about all your service charges view the service charge guide (PDF)
Your lease says you must pay your share of Camden’s costs in providing services to your block or estate regardless of whether you use them. This could include things like lifts, a door entry system or a TV aerial.
Management service charge
The amount you pay towards our management costs varies according to the terms of your lease. Find out more about management service charge.
Repairs and maintenance service charge
This charge covers the cost of any repairs and maintenance work to your block or estate. Find out more about the repairs and maintenance charge.
Electricity service charge
The electricity service charge is for lighting the communal areas of your block or estate. Find out more about the electricity charge.
Heating, hot water and gas supply service charge
If your property is connected to one of our communal systems, you are required to pay your share of the cost of maintaining the system as well as the heat or gas supplied. Find out more about the heating, hot water and gas charge.
Cold water storage service charge
The charge represents your share of Camden’s costs in carrying out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and repairs to the cold-water storage system your property is connected to. Find out more about the cold water storage charge
Caretaking service charge
Camden caretakers clean the communal areas of Camden’s blocks and estates. Find out more about the caretaking charge.
Lift service charge
The charge represents your share of Camden’s costs in carrying out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and repairs to the lifts.
Your lease says you must pay your share of Camden’s costs in providing lift services to your block regardless of whether you use them. Find out more about the lift charge.