Core, block and estate service charges

At the estate level, the service charges cover communal services and maintenance that benefit
the entire estate, which might consist of multiple blocks or buildings.
These costs are spread across all residents who live on the estate. Examples include:
- Estate-wide security services
- Landscaping or gardening for shared outdoor areas
- Road and path maintenance within the estate
- Communal lighting in estate pathways or parking areas

A building containing multiple properties is a block. Blocks usually have a continuous roof and/or walls of a similar structure, although some modern blocks can have different- level rooflines. A house divided into rooms (HMO) is classified as a Block. Houses may also be part of a block, usually added to the end.

At the block level, service charges cover services that specifically benefit a particular block only. A block may consist of multiple flats, and only the residents of that block are responsible for paying for these services.

Examples include:

• Cleaning and maintenance of communal hallways and staircases within the block
•  Block- specific repairs (e.g., roofing or exterior wall maintenance, guttering)
• Insurance for the block

A communal area within a block, such as a lobby or staircase leading to property entrances.

• Blocks can have one or multiple cores.
• Cores may have more than one entrance.
• Some cores are semi- internal and have open walkways.

At the core level, the charges are split based on specific cores or entrances within a block. This might apply to high- rise buildings with multiple stairwells or sections. Service charges at the core level are paid by the residents who use that particular core, meaning these costs are more tightly allocated to smaller groups.

Examples include:

• Maintenance of lifts or staircases within a specific core
• Cleaning or lighting specific to one entrance or stairwell
• Door entry system maintenance for one section of the block