What's a reasonable service charge for a 1 bed in Streatham?

[paige8039]

It's a 1 bed ground floor flat with communal gardens, entryphone system, no lift, 50 square meters, 0.2 miles from Streatham Hill station. The service charge is £1,600 annually.

I live in London and am vaguely tuned in to this as trying to buy another flat. How many flats in the building? Is insurance/anything else included?

It seems on the high side practically, but tbh I am seeing more and more high service charges for flats where there is no equivalent/apparent service being provided.

service charge is all about the building, not distance from a tube station

if you don't like it then investigate taking over the charge under your Right To Manage (if your building meets the criteria to allow you to do so)

I've had a look on Rightmove at 1 bed flats in purpose-built blocks for sale and SSTC in Streatham Hill.

Of those where the service charge is given, so far the lowest I've seen is £1,600 and the highest is just over £2,800.

In our block it’s done by square footage, so a person with a three bed flat pays more than someone with a one bed.
It’s around £3.70 per square foot.

Also if the service charge has gone up recently, it might mean that major works are planned

What @Rainydayinlondonsaid. Assume there is a sinking fund too?

of course there is a numeric basis for the charge but your £3.70 is applicable to you only and certainly will not be "around" that level for others.

We have no idea if there is a sinking fund built into the charge, nor if there are one off costs this year, nor what level of fee is charged by the managing agents .