Housing firm debates garden service charge

THE First Choice Homes Oldham HQ

FIRST Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is proposing to introduce service charges to the communal areas of 650 houses and bungalows.

FCHO identified 300 bungalows and 350 houses that currently receive free grounds maintenance to communal or non-fenced gardens.

It is proposing to continue providing the service with the introduction of a small charge.

With regards to bungalows the charge will be less than £1 per week in most cases and will be covered by housing benefit for those who are entitled to it.

Those living in bungalows with private gardens will be given an option to receive the service at this cost or to maintain the garden themselves.

Affected residents in houses will be given the options of maintaining the garden themselves, asking FCHO to continue the service at an agreed price or to procure the service from another provider.

In November 2016 FCHO introduced service charges to flats which cover communal lighting, cleaning and grounds maintenance.

At the time FCHO continued to provide free grounds maintenance to residents in communal or non-fenced gardens and the latest proposed introduction is to ensure they are being fair to all customers.

The consultation period started on April 18 and runs until May 15 and FCHO will write to residents affected 28 days before any compulsory service charges come into effect.

The proposed amounts will differ depending on the costs of maintaining communal and private gardens.

It is proposed payments will be collected in overall rent payment and the amount for those who pay by Direct Debit will vary accordingly.

Those who pay via an AllPay card would need to vary their payment to cover the new charge. Housing Benefit would be notified of the changes by FCHO.

Dave Smith, Customer First Director, First Choice Homes, said: "Following on from last year's introduction of service charges to our flatted properties, we have identified 300 bungalows which are currently receiving a free grounds maintenance service.

"We are therefore proposing continuing to provide the ground maintenance service to these customers; but we are proposing making a small charge for this.

"This charge will be between £1 and £2 per week for most of these customers. This will be covered by housing benefit for those entitled to it who have open communal gardens."