The following service charges can be claimed from Housing Benefit.
For services marked with an asterisk * the charges are based on the actual costs from the previous financial year. For example, in 2022/23 tenants’ charges are based on the actual costs incurred in 2020/21.
Retirement housing service only
This service charge relates to the costs of running the Retirement Housing Service and is apportioned equally between all tenants. It includes costs such as water hygiene testing, door entry system (flats only), pest control, TV Licenses and the Retirement Housing Advisors office running costs (telephone, internet, printers).
Retirement housing staff costs
This service charge relates to the Retirement Housing teams staff costs and is apportioned equally between all tenants.
Retirement housing caretaking service - Eastbourne Homes tenants only*
This service charge relates to caretaking service costs incurred for individual blocks.
Retirement housing solar panels - Lewes District Council tenants only
This service charge relates to the recovery of the initial installation costs. These costs are being recovered over a 20 year period. This service charge is only applied to blocks which have solar panels installed.
Retirement housing lift maintenance
This service charge relates to all expenditure relating to lifts and it is only applied to blocks which have lifts.
Retirement housing general cleaning*
This service charge relates to the general cleaning of communal areas.
Retirement housing window cleaning*
This service charge relates to the window cleaning in communal areas.
Retirement housing communal gas*
This service charge only applies to blocks which have a communal gas supply.
Retirement housing communal water*
This service charge only applies to blocks which have a communal water supply.
Retirement housing communal electricity*
This service charge only applies to blocks which have a communal electricity supply.
Retirement housing guest rooms
This service charge relates to the estimated costs of maintaining the guest rooms. It is charged only to blocks which have guest rooms. It represents the cost of maintaining the guest room over a 5-year period.
Retirement housing communal rooms
This service charge relates to the costs of maintaining communal rooms. It is charged only to blocks which have communal rooms. It represents the cost of maintaining the communal room over a 5-year period.
Retirement housing communal heating repairs and maintenance*
This service charge relates to the repairs and maintenance of the communal heating system. It is charged only to blocks which have communal heating.
Retirement housing communal lighting repairs and maintenance*
This service charge relates to the repairs and maintenance of the communal lighting. It is charged only to blocks which have communal lighting.
Retirement housing renewal of heating systems
This service charge relates to the installation of new hot water cylinders into each flat at Seaford House. The cost was split over 15 years, the first year of charges began in 2008.
Retirement housing grounds maintenance
This service charge relates to the ground’s maintenance contract and any ad-hoc grounds work.
Retirement housing laundry equipment*
This service charge relates to the repair and maintenance of tumble dryers and washing machines. It is charged only to blocks which have laundry requirement.
Retirement housing management fee
This service charge is a calculation of 15% of the total of all the Housing Benefit-eligible service charges specific to each block.