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My social housing landlord is planning to do major work and the bill is very high. Is there a limit on the amount we can be charged?

There is a potential cap on the costs for major works if the mandatory reduction for service charges applies.

The Mandatory reduction directions for social landlords (councils or housing associations) came into force in England on 12 August 2014.

The Directions limit the amount of service charges recoverable from leaseholders of social landlords, who occupy their flat or house as their only or principal home.

Within any 5-year period, the maximum a landlord can recover is limited to £15,000 within London and £10,000 outside London.

It applies to the cost of repair, maintenance or improvement undertaken with assistance from a programme such as Decent Homes Backlog Funding, where the application for assistance was made on or after 12 August 2014.

The Directions do not apply to properties in Wales.


More information you might find useful:

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LEASE is governed by a board, appointed as individuals by the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.