service charge

Leaseholders must pay an annual service charge to a managing agent or the freeholder for things such as building insurance and maintenance of communal areas.

Kasia said she would like more control over her service charges but the government's commonhold proposals were for new builds, so would not help her in her current situation.

"I pay full rent, just under £800 a month, of which a proportion of that is for service charges, and a part of that is to cover our lift."

There are 60 flats at the three-block complex, built in 2007, with Onward Homes receiving the service charges to pay for things like building improvements and maintenance.

But through his lawyers, Mr El Paraiso said the difference between Queensland Place and Arndale House was that the Queensland Place leaseholders paid their service charges, and therefore the fire safety problems could be managed.