Service charges

Request for summary of relevant costs.
21
1
A tenant may require the landlord in writing to supply him with a written summary of the costs incurred—
a
if the relevant accounts are made up for periods of twelve months, in the last such period ending not later than the date of the request, or
b
if the accounts are not so made up, in the period of twelve months ending with the date of the request,
and which are relevant costs in relation to the service charges payable or demanded as payable in that or any other period.
2
If the tenant is represented by a recognised tenants’ association and he consents, the request may be made by the secretary of the association instead of by the tenant and may then be for the supply of the summary to the secretary.
3
A request is duly served on the landlord if it is served on—
a
an agent of the landlord named as such in the rent book or similar document, or
b
the person who receives the rent on behalf of the landlord;
and a person on whom a request is so served shall forward it as soon as may be to the landlord.
4
The landlord shall comply with the request within one month of the request or within six months of the end of the period referred to in subsection (1)(a) or (b) whichever is the later.
5
The summary shall state whether any of the costs relate to works in respect of which a grant has been or is to be paid under Part XV of the Housing Act 1985 or Part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (grants for works of improvement, repair or conversion) and set out the costs in a way showing how they have been or will be reflected in demands for service charges and, in addition, shall summarise each of the following items, namely—
a
any of the costs in respect of which no demand for payment was received by the landlord within the period referred to in subsection (1)(a) or (b),
b
any of the costs in respect of which—
i
a demand for payment was so received, but
ii
no payment was made by the landlord within that period, and
c
any of the costs in respect of which—
i
a demand for payment was so received, and
ii
payment was made by the landlord within that period,
and specify the aggregate of any amounts received by the landlord down to the end of that period on account of service charges in respect of relevant dwellings and still standing to the credit of the tenants of those dwellings at the end of that period
5A
In subsection (5) “
relevant dwelling
” means a dwelling whose tenant is either—
a
the person by or with the consent of whom the request was made, or
b
a person whose obligations under the terms of his lease as regards contributing to relevant costs relate to the same costs as the corresponding obligations of the person mentioned in paragraph (a) above relate to.
5B
The summary shall state whether any of the costs relate to works which are included in the external works specified in a group repair scheme, within the meaning of Part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, in which the landlord participated or is participating as an assisted participant.
6
If the service charges in relation to which the costs are relevant costs as mentioned in subsection (1) are payable by the tenants of more than four dwellings, the summary shall be certified by a qualified accountant as—
a
in his opinion a fair summary complying with the requirements of subsection (5), and
b
being sufficiently supported by accounts, receipts and other documents which have been produced to him.
S. 21 amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 57(7), Sch. 13 para. 24 (as substituted by Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 61) and Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 79(12)
S. 21 excluded by S.I. 1988/1283, art. 2, Sch. para. 2(d)
Ss. 18-30 modified (1.4.1995) by S.I. 1995/401, art. 18, Sch. para. 10(b)
Ss. 18-30 extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2)(b), Sch. 13 para. 23(b) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))
Words substituted by Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (c. 31, SIF 75:1), s. 41, Sch. 2 para. 5(2)
Words inserted by Housing and Planning Act 1986 (c. 63, SIF 75:1), s. 24(1), Sch. 5 para. 9(2)
Words inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 75:1), s. 194, Sch. 11 para. 91(1)
Words substituted by Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (c. 31, SIF 75:1), s. 41, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)
S. 21(5B) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 75:1), s. 194, Sch. 11 para. 91(2)
Words substituted by Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (c. 31, SIF 75:1), s. 41, Sch. 2 para. 5(4)(a)
Word substituted by Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (c. 31, SIF 75:1), s. 41, Sch. 2 para. 5(4)(b)