One of the aims of the RICS Code of Practice for Service Charges in Commercial Property (the Code) is to reduce tenant disputes by improving communication and transparency. At a time when everyone is ‘feeling the pinch’ service charge expenditure is being scrutinised more closely than ever before. It is therefore important that costs incurred by a landlord are properly recoverable in accordance with the lease.

Chartered accountants and business advisers, Moore Stephens, and Karli Hiscock of Druces LLP’s Property team highlight below some recent examples of specific issues.