Dear Sally,
Sorry to confuse the situation. With regard to “individual utilities”, I have a site with a single communal electricity meter so the residents are all charged a service charge for their electricity but it is just divided up amongst the six of them. It is still a service charge but not covered by Benefits or Universal Credit. However, the electricity used by the lift to the flats or communal lighting is a service charge that is covered by benefits or UC! Obviously with only one meter we need to take a view on this and it is a best guess.
I am absolutely sure that general maintenance is not a service charge but stand to be corrected by the Association if I am wrong.
Kind regards,
Clare