How to Legally Demand & Audit Your Estate Service Charge Invoices
Are you paying inflated management fees or suspicious contractor markups? Learn your statutory rights under Section 21 and Section 22 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985.
This Estate Editorial Team
Estate Governance & RMC Specialists
1. Your Legal Right to Information
Under English property law, you do not have to blindly accept summary service charge accounts or vague line items like "Estate Sundries" or "Professional Fees".
Sections 21 and 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 grant every leaseholder clear statutory mechanisms to inspect the exact underlying invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
2. Section 21: The Written Summary
Any leaseholder (or recognised tenants' association secretary) can serve a formal written request for a summary of service charge costs incurred for the last 12-month accounting period.
The landlord or managing agent is legally obligated to provide this summary within one month of the request, or within six months of the end of the accounting period, whichever is later. It must be certified by a qualified accountant if the property comprises more than four dwellings.
3. Section 22: Inspecting the Invoices
Once you have received the Section 21 summary (or within six months of receiving it), you have the legal right under Section 22 to inspect and take copies of all supporting receipts, invoices, and vouchers.
You can serve a Section 22 notice requiring the landlord or agent to provide facilities for inspection within two months for a period of two months.
Failing to comply with a valid Section 21 or Section 22 request without reasonable excuse is a summary criminal offence punishable by a fine in the Magistrates' Court.
Free Templates Mentioned in This Guide
Download, print at home, or pin directly to your estate portal on This Estate.
Section 22 Notice: Demand to Inspect Supporting Invoices & Vouchers
Statutory demand under Section 22 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 requiring the landlord or managing agent to provide all underlying receipts, invoices, and bank statements for inspection.
Council Planning Appeal: Collective Resident Representation Form
Formal objection letter to local council planning authority regarding adverse planning applications, over-development, or boundary disputes affecting the estate.
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