Service Charge Disputes Solicitors
If you’re a tenant facing unfair, excessive or unclear service charge demands or a landlord trying to recover costs, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Our property dispute solicitors can help challenge unreasonable costs and resolve disputes between landlords, managing agents and tenants.
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Service charges are a common feature of leasehold property ownership, covering the costs of repairs, maintenance and shared facilities. But disagreements often arise where charges seem excessive, poorly explained, or where works appear unnecessary.
Our property dispute team, led by the highly regarded Daniel Stern, regularly advises landlords, leaseholders and freeholders on service charge disputes. We act on claims involving poor management, inflated costs, demands for historic arrears, and disagreements over the scope of works covered by a lease.
Whether you’re a leaseholder questioning a bill or a landlord trying to recover legitimate costs, our solicitors provide clear, pragmatic advice to protect your interests and achieve a fair resolution.
If you’re dealing with a dispute, call us today on 0330 111 3131 or complete our online contact form to speak with one of our property litigation specialists in Manchester, Sale and Chester.
What are service charges?
Service charges are payments made by leaseholders to cover the costs of maintaining and managing a building. They typically include expenses such as:
- Repairs and maintenance to communal areas
- Cleaning, lighting and security services
- Building insurance
- Management fees
- Major works or refurbishment projects
While service charges are a standard part of leasehold ownership, they can only be demanded where permitted by the lease, and costs must be reasonable.
Types of service charge disputes we can help with
Our solicitors handle a wide range of service charge issues, including:
- Challenging unreasonable or excessive charges
- Disputes over whether works fall within the scope of the lease
- Lack of consultation for major works under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
- Recovery of unpaid service charges on behalf of landlords and managing agents
- Allegations of poor management or inflated costs
- Tribunal applications to determine liability and reasonableness of charges
If you’re unsure whether you have grounds to challenge a charge, we can review your lease and advise you on your options.
How our property dispute solicitors can help
Service charge disputes require a detailed understanding of leasehold law and a careful review of your lease. We’ll explain your position clearly and take decisive steps to protect your rights.
Our team can:
- Review your lease and analyse the service charge provisions
- Challenge or defend disputed charges through negotiation or tribunal proceedings
- Advise on Section 20 consultation requirements for major works
- Support landlords and managing agents in recovering legitimate costs
- Provide strategic, cost-effective solutions to minimise disruption
We aim to resolve disputes quickly and fairly, always keeping your objectives in focus.
Why choose Slater Heelis?
As one of the leading property dispute teams in the North West, we’ve helped leaseholders, landlords and managing agents resolve service charge disputes with efficiency and confidence.
We know how stressful these disputes can be, particularly where they involve your home or significant financial demands, and we’ll work tirelessly to protect your interests.
You’ll benefit from:
- Clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances
- Skilled negotiators with tribunal and court experience
- Decades of expertise in leasehold and property litigation
- A full-service law firm able to support with enfranchisement, lease extensions and wider property matters
