There are a number of ways to pay your service charges.
By direct debit
The easiest way to pay is to set up a direct debit through your bank. You can pay on either the 1st or 15th of each month, either monthly or quarterly.
Online
You can pay your service charge by visiting Bills Online.
This secure and convenient method of payment is operated for us by allpay.net and the Post Office.
By service charge payment card
You can pay for cards by cash, cheque or debit card at any local housing office or at the our offices on St Andrews Street.
You can also use the payment card at any outlet displaying the Pay Point logo.
By post
You can pay your service charges by post.
We accept cheques, which you should make payable to "Cambridge City Council".
By phone
Telephone 0844 557 8321 and you will be asked to enter the number on your payment card, then simply follow the instructions.
This 24-hour system is operated by allpay.net on behalf of us and is a secure and convenient way to pay.
Statements and invoices
Each year in April, you will be sent your annual service charge estimate. This will detail how much we expect your services to cost for the coming financial year.
You will be invoiced in arrears for four quarterly payments during the year, which will be sent to you in June, September, December and March. You should pay these invoices promptly.
In October of the following year, you will be sent a summary of the actual costs of providing each service for the previous financial year.
If the actual service charge costs are more than we estimated you will be asked to pay the difference. If the actual costs are less than we estimated, we will credit your account with the difference.
If you do not agree with the service charges, please contact us on 01223 457835 or email leasehold.services@cambridge.gov.uk
Disputes over charges
If you have any queries regarding your service charge or major works bill, in the first instance, you should contact us.
Should you still feel that the charges are unreasonable you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) to settle your dispute.
The LVT offers an alternative to court action. When there is a dispute over charges you will have to pay an application fee, which will vary according to each individual dispute.
You are advised to take expert advice before taking your case to the tribunal.
For more information you can contact the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal on 01223 505112 or visit their website www.rpts.gov.uk
