Property Service Charge Audits & Reviews
Expert help with service charge audits for blocks of flats.
At Carbon Accountancy, we specialise in providing clear, accurate, and independent service charge audits and flat service charges reviews. Whether you’re a leaseholder, freeholder, residents’ association or property management company, our goal is to ensure transparency, accuracy, and compliance when it comes to service charge accounts.
Many blocks of flats across the UK are owned and managed by freeholders or appointed managing agents who collect annual service charges from leaseholders. But how do you know these charges are accurate, fair, and in line with the lease agreement? That’s where we come in.
We offer professional auditing and investigative services to make sure leaseholders are not being overcharged and that service charge accounts are properly managed and reported. With our experience, we’ve helped countless clients uncover errors, reclaim overpayments, and gain confidence in the way their property is being managed.
Our Property Service Charge Audit Services
We provide a complete suite of services to support leaseholders and freeholders, including:
- Audit of Annual Service Charges
We carry out a full audit of your service charge accounts to ensure that all income and expenditure is accurate, transparent and complies with lease terms and statutory requirements. Our independent audits provide reassurance to leaseholders and demonstrate good governance by freeholders and managing agents.
- Flat Service Charges Review
Our reviews go beyond the numbers. We take a practical and forensic approach to reviewing your service charges, checking that the correct charges have been applied in accordance with the lease. We frequently discover common issues such as:
- Costs charged to the wrong block or group of flats
- Lack of supporting documentation for payments
- Misinterpretation of lease agreements
- Duplicate or excessive charges
- Tax Returns for Sinking Funds
Where sinking funds (reserve funds) earn interest, we also handle the preparation and filing of tax returns for these funds. This ensures your tax obligations are properly met, avoiding penalties or unexpected liabilities.
Investigating Service Charge Disputes
If you suspect something isn’t right with your property’s service charges, our investigative services can help you get to the bottom of it. We act independently and with complete confidentiality. Whether you’re challenging unexplained charges or simply want a second opinion, we’ll give you clear, practical advice based on the facts.
Managing agents—especially those handling multiple developments—can make honest mistakes, or in some cases, cut corners. We’ve often found that blocks of flats are incorrectly charged for services intended for neighbouring properties, or that invoices are missing altogether. In other cases, charges have been raised that aren’t actually permitted under the lease.
With our expert team on your side, we’ll help ensure that only fair, justified charges are applied and that you’re not paying more than you should be.
Why Clients Choose Carbon Accountancy
We pride ourselves on offering an exceptional level of client service. Our team is responsive, experienced, and friendly—always ready to guide you through what can often be a complex and frustrating process. Whether you’re dealing with a single flat or an entire development, we give every client the same care and attention to detail.
With years of experience working with leaseholders, managing agents and freeholders, we’ve built a reputation for being efficient, thorough, and easy to work with.
Talk to Us About Your Service Charge Concerns
If you’re unsure about your property’s service charges, need an audit for your building’s accounts, or simply want peace of mind that everything is in order, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us today on +44 (0)20 7710 5300
📧 Or email us at info@carbonaccountancy.co.uk
Let Carbon Accountancy bring clarity, accuracy and fairness to your property’s service charges.
