Paying your service charge

How can I pay?

By bank transfer only. The bank details are at the bottom of every invoice we send you. Please use the payment reference on your invoice exactly as it appears, as this is how we match your payment to your property.

We cannot accept cheques or cash.

Can I pay by credit or debit card?

Unfortunately not. Your service charge is held in trust for your building, so it never belongs to Compass Block Management. Card providers charge a fee on every payment, and we cannot take that fee from trust money or add it to your bill. Bank transfer means every penny you pay reaches your building's account.

When is my payment due?

The due date is shown on your invoice. If you are not sure when a payment is due, contact us on 0121 758 7222 or hello@compass-bm.com.

Why does paying on time matter?

Your service charge pays for the running of your building, including insurance, cleaning, repairs and the reserve fund for major works. When payments are late, the building's account runs short, and we cannot instruct contractors or carry out repairs until it is topped up. That affects everyone who lives there.

Paying the service charge is also a requirement of your lease, so unpaid charges can be recovered through the courts.

What if I can't pay?

Please tell us as early as you can, ideally before the due date. A payment plan is much easier to arrange before the due date than after it.

The charge still needs to be paid, but we can often spread it over a short period. We will ask for some information about your circumstances so we can agree a plan that works for you. Please note that a charge applies for setting up a payment plan. Once a plan is agreed, and as long as payments arrive as agreed, you will not receive further reminders.

If you have a mortgage, it may also be worth speaking to your lender, as they may be able to help.

If a balance remains unpaid and no plan has been agreed, we may pass the account to our solicitors. Their costs would then be added to your balance, where your lease allows.

To talk about a payment plan, contact the team on 0121 758 7222 or hello@compass-bm.com.

What if I think my bill is wrong?

Please tell us. We will check it and respond, and we will hold any further action while we do.

Why are administration charges added when you have to chase a payment?

We know payments can be missed, so the first reminder is always free of charge. The cost of sending your invoice and first reminder is already covered by our management fee.

If we need to send further reminders, the cost of doing so is added to your individual account, where your lease allows. We charge it to you, rather than the service charge, so that other residents do not pay for it. The amount will be shown on the reminder, together with a date to pay by. If you pay by that date, no further fees will be added.