# Service-charge demand

A written request to a leaseholder to pay a service charge, which in England must include the landlord's name and address and be accompanied by the prescribed summary of rights and obligations.

Also called: service charge bill, demand for payment, service charge invoice.

In plain words, it's the bill to leaseholders. Getting its contents right matters, because a defective demand can mean the money isn't legally due yet.

## What it must have

- **The landlord's name and address** (s.47). If it's missing, the charge is treated as not due until the information is given. An RTM company gives its own name and address. Many also include the freeholder's details, to be safe.
- **An address in England and Wales for serving notices** must have been given to leaseholders (s.48).
- **The summary of rights and obligations** in the prescribed form (s.21B). Without it, the leaseholder may withhold payment until it is provided.
- **What the lease requires**, such as the payment dates, the share of costs, and any budget or certificate.

## Two warnings

- Costs incurred more than 18 months before the demand may be lost for good: see the [18-month rule](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/18-month-rule).
- Follow the lease's rules on how notices must be served. Some leases don't allow email.

Most of these defects can be cured by sending a corrected demand. See [What a service-charge demand must contain](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/running-your-block/service-charge-demands).

## Related terms

- [Service charge](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/service-charge)
- [Summary of rights and obligations](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/summary-of-rights-and-obligations)
- [Landlord's name and address (section 47)](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/landlords-name-and-address)
- [Address for service (section 48)](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/address-for-service)
- [The 18-month rule (Section 20B)](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/18-month-rule)

## Sources

- [Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s.21B (summary of rights to accompany demands)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/21B)
- [Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, s.47 (landlord's name and address)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/31/section/47)
- [Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, s.48 (address for service)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/31/section/48)

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Updated 22 October 2026. Source: https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/service-charge-demand