Guide

How to read your service charge invoices

Know which invoice details to check and how to connect them to accounts, budgets, and your share of costs.

  • Identify the transaction. Check the supplier, invoice number, date, service period, description, and VAT treatment.
  • Confirm what the cost relates to. Look for the building, estate, schedule, contract, or works package connected to the invoice.
  • Check the figures. Review quantities, rates, totals, credits, duplicates, and references to earlier invoices.
  • Connect it to your service charge. Compare the invoice with the accounts, budget, relevant cost category, and your apportionment.
  • Record questions and warning signs. Note unclear descriptions, unexpected increases, missing evidence, or costs that appear outside the stated scope.