A discussion of UK commercial property service charges

Abstract

As certain types of property have become more complex and customers or occupiers perceptions and expectations have evolved, the services provided by the owners have had to be improved correspondingly. A modern service charge may include provision for the recovery of many different properties or facilities management-related services. The existing practice of service charges recovery for commercial properties is not transparent enough to enable the tenants to understand exactly what they are paying for. The service charge costs may include enhancement of the building, where it can be justified following the analysis of reasonable options and alternatives. The practice of service charge should rest on achieving equitable benefits for both parties: the owner and the tenant. © 2009 Palgrave Macmillan.