Service charge demand checker.
In short
A service charge demand in England must be accompanied by the prescribed summary of tenants' rights and obligations (s.21B Landlord and Tenant Act 1985), must state the landlord's name and address (s.47 Landlord and Tenant Act 1987), and the landlord must give an address in England and Wales for notices (s.48). A demand that misses one of these is usually not payable until it is put right.
The checker: six questions
Does the demand state the landlord's name and address?
If an RTM company manages and someone else owns the freehold, the landlord is the freeholder.Has the landlord given an address in England or Wales for notices, on this demand or in writing before?
Was the summary of tenants' rights and obligations sent with it, in the prescribed words, at least 10 point?
The title is "Service Charges - Summary of tenants' rights and obligations".Was every cost in it incurred within the last 18 months, or notified to the leaseholders in writing within 18 months?
If it includes works costing any one leaseholder more than £250, was Section 20 consultation done? (Yes if there are none.)
Does it follow the lease: the right share, the right period and payment date, from the company the lease or the right to manage makes responsible?
Runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere. England only. A guide to the main requirements, not legal advice on a particular demand or lease.
What has to go with a service charge demand?
The summary of tenants' rights and obligations, in the exact words set by the 2007 regulations, titled "Service Charges - Summary of tenants' rights and obligations" and printed in at least 10 point. Until a demand is accompanied by it, the leaseholder may withhold payment. It has to go with the demand itself. If a demand went out without it, the safe fix is to serve the demand again with the summary attached.
Whose name and address must be on the demand?
The landlord's name and address, under section 47 of the 1987 Act. Separately, section 48 requires the landlord to give the leaseholders an address in England and Wales where notices can be served; stating it on every demand is the simplest way to be sure it has been given. Until each is put right, the service charge is treated as not due. Where an RTM company manages and someone else owns the freehold, the safe course is to name the freeholder as landlord and the RTM company as the company issuing the demand. Give the landlord's own address, not only an agent's.
Can a faulty demand be fixed?
Usually, by serving it again correctly: with the summary attached, the landlord's name and address on it and an address for notices given. The exception is the 18 month rule: a cost already more than 18 months old, with no written notice given in time, cannot be put right by a new demand.
Where Servanda comes in
Servanda will not let a demand be issued that misses a required item: it checks the landlord's name and address, the address for notices, the shares adding to 100% and the 18 month rule, then prints each demand with the prescribed summary after it and emails it to the leaseholder.
Try it free for 30 days, no card · How it works for boardsThe law
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 21B
- Service Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations, and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2007, regulation 3
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, section 47
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, section 48
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 20B
The legislation is the authority; this tool is a plain guide for England, checked on 2026-11-02. Wales and Scotland have their own rules. Take advice on any particular building.