03 · Living costs
How should service charges and site management be assessed?
Read the amount together with service scope, budget, debts, decisions, and upcoming maintenance.
Last source review
17 August 2026
Direct answer
A service-charge review considers the monthly amount, included services, operating budget, historical debts, extraordinary decisions, and the building's approaching maintenance needs together.
01
Ask what the monthly amount covers
Request a written scope for security, pool, lift, shared electricity, cleaning, garden, staff, and technical maintenance.
02
Review history and upcoming decisions
The operating budget, meeting decisions, debt position, and planned lift, roof, façade, or pool work reveal more than today's monthly figure.
03
Test management quality on site
Shared-area condition, issue response, security, and communication show whether the budget becomes a reliable service.
Frequently asked
Short, sourced answers
Is a low service charge always better?
No. Service scope, reserves, and approaching major work must be understood first.
How can site debt be checked?
Request a current written statement from management and address pre-transfer debt responsibility in the contract.
Why does the management plan matter?
It sets a baseline for shared use and management rules and should be read with current owners' decisions.
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