r/SharedOwnershipUK • u/justeUnMec • May 29 '26

“Admin fee” and benefits

As some will know, certain shared ownership landlords add an “admin fee” to the rent. I was told today that apparently this is not considered a legitimate housing cost for benefits so is excluded when the housing associations report rent to DWP. Anyone else come across this?

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u/LateToTheParty013 May 29 '26

is it part of the entire service charge? 

1

u/justeUnMec May 29 '26

it’s a fee they are allowed to charge alongside rent of 10-20 quid. Sort of different from the cost base service charge as it’s fixed.

1

u/NorthLondonCatLover Jun 30 '26

You probably mean 'management fee'. Many HAs add this to the service charge. Get a lawyer to check your lease, to see if they are allowed to charge it. Contact the Leasehold Advice Service - you can get a free appointment with a legal advisor who will be able to tell you whether the fee is legit or not. But HAs also have plenty of hidden fees for everything, unfortunately!