Short-cuts...
Residents pay a Standard Maintenance Charge for their accommodation; the Standard Maintenance Charge year is from 1 April to 31 March and is made up of a nominal Rent, Maintenance Contribution and Utility Charge. The total for 2009 / 2010 is £4,728. The details are as follows:
A nominal sum is required as rent. This is set at a level that covers the cost to the Trustees of providing the services of the Assistant Manager (Residents). For 2009 / 2010 the amount is £119.
For the year to the end of March 2010 the standard contribution per flat is set at £3,920. This covers all the outgoings incurred in running The Royal Homes apart from the Utility Charge.
Housing Benefit, to which some residents are entitled, is not payable in respect of costs incurred for Water Services Charge, Heating and Hot Water Charge and Electricity Charge for the Communal Areas. Therefore the cost of these items is levied separately and for 2009 / 2010 is set at £689.
The Standard Maintenance Charge for residents who occupy flats with two bedrooms is increased by 20%. In 2009 / 2010 this means that these residents will pay £5,674.
Each resident is responsible for the cost of her own electricity, telephone and Council Tax.
Many residents are entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to meet all or part of these costs (other than the Water Services Charge, Heating and Hot Water Charge, Electricity Charge for the Communal Areas, Personal Electricity Bill and Land Line Telephone Cost). The Manager is available to assist residents in the claiming of their entitlements in this respect.