See how your service charge compares to UK and London averages by flat size, based on Hamptons research. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Benchmarks are based on Hamptons research analysing flats listed for sale in England & Wales (2025 data): £2,074/yr for 1-bed, £2,463/yr for 2-bed, £3,146/yr for 3-bed flats nationally, and £2,801/yr average across all flat sizes in London specifically. These are averages, not maximums — a charge above benchmark isn't automatically unreasonable, and one below benchmark isn't automatically fine. See our service charge guide for how to actually challenge a charge you believe is too high.
These benchmarks are drawn from Hamptons' analysis of flats listed for sale across England and Wales, widely reported in 2026: the average leaseholder paid £2,405 in service charges in 2025, up 32.6% over five years and outpacing inflation every year in that period. Charges scale with flat size — £2,074 for a one-bed, £2,463 for a two-bed, £3,146 for a three-bed — and London runs meaningfully higher across the board, averaging £2,801 a year, up 41.2% over five years.
A separate industry benchmark, the Property Institute's Service Charge Index (drawn from professionally managed portfolios rather than sale listings), puts the 2026 average higher still, around £2,880 — a reminder that "average" depends heavily on the data source and the mix of building types it covers. Use these figures as a general reference point, not a precise verdict on your specific building.
If you entered your property value, we've flagged whether your service charge exceeds 1% of that value. This threshold matters beyond just "feeling high" — some mortgage lenders restrict lending on flats where service charges regularly exceed 1% of the property's value, which can affect your own remortgaging options and, more significantly, your flat's saleability to future buyers who need a mortgage. 37% of flats now exceed this threshold, up from 29% just five years ago, as service charges have risen faster than property values in many areas.
Being above the benchmark doesn't automatically mean your charge is unreasonable — a building with a lift, concierge, gym, or communal heating legitimately costs more to run than a simple converted house with no shared services. But it's a reasonable trigger to look closer. Read our full guide, UK Service Charges Explained, for what's changing under the 2024 Act, the incoming insurance commission ban, and how to actually challenge a charge at the First-tier Tribunal if you believe it's unreasonable.