Leaseholder Service Charges & Rent
All Dartford Borough Council leaseholders are required to pay service charges and ground rent.
Ground Rent
Leaseholders must pay ground rent annually on the 31st December. The ground rent amount is set by your lease.
Service charges
Service charges that are payable by Dartford Borough Council leaseholders include:
- Repairs and maintenance for communal areas
- Maintenance of communal grounds
- Cleaning and lighting of communal areas
- Buildings insurance
- Provision for future liabilities (instalments towards future major works)
- Management (administration) costs
When do I have to pay?
Leaseholder service charges are due quarterly in arrears. Invoices are issued on the first day of every quarter (1st April, 1st July, 1st October and 1st January) and have to be paid in full by the last day of every quarter (30th June, 30th September, 31st December and 31st March).
What if I have difficulties paying?
Please contact the Leasehold Services team on 01322 343368 to discuss the problems and agree a payment plan to keep your account up to date. If you are having problems with debt there are other organisations that are able to help.
You must pay your rent and the share of the costs of managing and maintaining your block. If you don't pay, you're breaking the terms of your lease agreement and we could apply to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal, and then to the Court, for forfeiture of the lease. This is very serious, as in these circumstances you would not only lose your home but also any equity you had built up in it, as the property is returned to use without either you or your mortgage lender receiving any share of the proceeds.
The Council has a standard procedure for dealing with arrears, which includes action at the Small Claims Court and referral to a Debt Collection Agency. In certain cases, the Council is also able to charge interest on any unpaid balances, from the due date until the debt is paid in full. This means if you don't pay on time, you could end up with a much higher bill than before.
How can I pay?
Online
You can pay using the Council's online payment services.
Cash or cheque
Cheques should be made payable to Dartford Borough Council and crossed "A/C Payee". Please make sure that you write your address and your service charge invoice number on the back of the cheque.
Debit or Credit Card
The Council can accept payment by Switch, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Visa, Electron or Solo. It will take 2 working days for the payment to show on your account.
Standing Order
If you would like to pay by standing order, please contact 01322 343066 for leaseholder service charges, who will provide you with a form for you to complete and forward to your bank or building society. You are responsible for telling your bank about any changes in the amounts to be paid each year.
Direct Debit
This secure and flexible facility for paying your rent is now available for collection on four dates each month, 1st, 9th, 16th and 23rd. You can download a Direct Debit Form or contact 01322 343368 for further information.
Electronic Payment Card (Swipe Card)
An Electronic Payment Card can be sent to you if you wish to pay through this method. Please phone 01322 343066 to request one.
Payments can be made by taking this card with your cash or cheque to any post office or outlet showing the Payzone symbol. The cashier will take your payment and will return your card to you along with a paper receipt. Make sure you keep these receipts safe in the plastic wallet provided to check against your next quarterly rent statement.
Touch Tone
This fully automated payment service is available by calling 0845 634 3001. It's available 24 hours, 7 days a week and the payment will show on your account after 2 working days.
Please have your Debit/Credit card and rent account or invoice number ready when you telephone. Please note that the Council can only accept payment by Switch, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Visa, Electron or Solo.
Post
To pay by post, send your crossed cheque or postal order to
Dartford Borough Council
Home Gardens
Dartford, DA1 1DR
Remember to write your address and invoice number on the back of the cheque which must be made payable to Dartford Borough Council and crossed "A/C Payee".
Where Can I Pay?
Cash Offices
You may pay in person at one of the Council's two Cash Offices. These are located at:
Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford
Open from 9am until 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesday)
Tel: 01322 343001
Swanscombe Town Council Offices, The Grove, Swanscombe, Kent. DA10 0GA
Open from 9am until 1pm Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesday)
Tel: 01322 343064
