Your Service Charge Deserves a Proper Check

You do not need a solicitor simply to commission an audit or prepare factual correspondence. Our report identifies evidenced concerns and distinguishes them from points requiring further information. If legal advice, formal proceedings or representation are needed, obtain advice from a suitably qualified solicitor.

A managing agent may accept, investigate or dispute the findings, or provide further evidence. If the matter is unresolved, the next step depends on the lease, sums involved and any deadline. LeaseScan can organise the evidence, but tribunal prospects and costs require case-specific legal assessment.

Every building and lease is different, so we do not promise a particular saving. We identify amounts that appear unsupported, inconsistent with the lease, insufficiently evidenced or potentially unreasonable. A finding is not the same as an agreed refund: the landlord may provide further evidence, agree an adjustment, or dispute the point.

The service is remote and available to leaseholders across England and Wales. You provide the requested documents through our secure upload process and receive the completed report digitally. Any included appointment can also be held remotely.

No — we recommend you keep paying but add “paid under protest” in writing. Withholding payment can trigger debt collection and forfeiture threats. Pay under protest, then use our audit to challenge and get money back. We’ll guide you on exactly how to word the “under protest” notice.

Just two things: (1) Your most recent service charge demand. (2) Your lease — specifically the service charge schedule. If you don’t have your lease, we can often obtain the relevant sections from the Land Registry for a small fee (£3). That’s it. We handle requesting the full accounts from your management company using your legal rights.

Strong. Under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985: Section 19 says charges must be “reasonably incurred.” Section 21 gives qualifying leaseholders rights relating to a written summary of costs. Section 22 can provide a right to inspect supporting documents. Section 20 may require consultation for qualifying works or agreements. The Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002 also provides a statutory Right to Manage route where the qualifying conditions are met. We help you understand the evidence and prepare clear correspondence; legal advice or representation requires a suitably qualified solicitor.

The Act contains important service-charge, insurance and litigation-cost reforms, but commencement matters. As at 24 July 2026, several transparency measures still require implementation and notice before they become operational. LeaseScan applies existing law today and labels enacted-but-uncommenced or announced measures separately.

That depends on the demand, the lease and the particular statutory requirement. For example, Section 21B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 generally requires a demand for variable residential service charges to be accompanied by the prescribed summary of rights and obligations; payment may be withheld for that specific defect until corrected. Other missing information may justify questions without automatically making the demand unenforceable. Our Demand Compliance Check (£49) separates those outcomes clearly. Do not stop paying solely because of a general website checklist.

Automated tools can compare a charge with a broad average, but that does not determine whether a specific sum is permitted, reasonable or evidenced. LeaseScan reviews the supplied lease and records, applies relevant benchmarks where appropriate, and identifies findings, evidence gaps and questions for the landlord or managing agent. Any repayment or adjustment remains subject to the evidence, response and applicable legal process.

The January 2026 draft Bill proposes major commonhold, ground-rent and enforcement reforms, but proposals do not automatically change an existing lease or demand. Use rights currently in force and check the latest commencement position before relying on any reform. If a current charge concerns you, preserve the documents and investigate promptly rather than assuming a future reform will resolve it.