Council leaseholders

Service charges, about your property, repairs and alterations.

You are the leaseholder if you have bought a:

  • flat or maisonette in a council block
  • leasehold interest

As the freeholder, we will:

  • keep the freehold interest
  • own the land the property is built on
  • charge ground rent as part of your service charges

Service charges

As the leaseholder, you will be charged for all services provided.

This includes:

  • ground rent
  • management charge
  • maintenance and repairs to communal facilities and areas
  • lighting and heating of communal areas
  • cleaning
  • landscaping and grounds maintenance

Our council housing blocks include both tenants and leaseholders. You will not be charged for the cost of repairs to tenants' homes.

When to pay

Invoices are sent in August each year.

The service charges cover the financial year, from April to March.

Payments are due within one month of the invoice date. You can pay in instalments. This must be completed before the end of May.

Ways to pay

To pay service charges you will need your 11-digit payment reference number (starting with 5). This can be found on your invoice or a letter we have sent you.

Pay online

Pay now

Pay by phone

You can pay with a credit or debit card by calling the automated payment system.

If you know your reference number.

Telephone: 0300 373 0373 and select 'option 2'

If you do not know your reference number.

Telephone: 0300 373 0373 and select 'option 3'

Pay instalments by standing order

Contact our team if you want to pay via instalments. We will:

  • advise on how much you will need to pay for each instalment
  • send you a standing order form

You will need to complete and return the form to your bank.

If you miss an arranged monthly payment, you will be immediately charged for the full amount.

Find out more about ways to pay your housing rent and help paying your housing rent.

Repairs

You are responsible for repairs within your property.

You should report a repair in a shared community area, such as:

  • the stairway
  • halls
  • bin stores

Report now

Find out more about repairs and maintenance for council housing.

Major works

We may need to carry out larger repairs in the building such as replacing windows or the lift.

These types of major works may be payable under the terms of your lease. If you are liable to pay towards the cost, we will:

  • send you a letter with a Section 20 Notice
  • provide details of the work
  • let you know the amount you are required to pay

Repayment options can be offered to help with costs.

Find out more about planned maintenance in your council home.

Contact us about major works

Email: housingincome@woking.gov.uk 
Telephone: 0300 373 0373 and select 'option 3'

Leaseholder support and advice

The Leasehold Advisory Service can provide advice about:

  • your rights regarding major works
  • being a leaseholder
  • becoming a leaseholder