Retirement Living Schemes service charges
If you live in one of our 19 Retirement Living Schemes, we would like to hear from you. We are looking at a simpler, clearer way of charging for the services at your scheme. No decision has been made yet, and we want to understand how any change would affect you.
Have your say
Our survey is open now and closes on Friday 11 September 2026.
What could change
We are proposing to bring service charges together into three groups:
- Independent Living Officer (ILO) charge: the building safety checks and other communal duties that ILOs carry out at your scheme.
- Scheme management: shared services like cleaning, window cleaning, grounds maintenance, laundry equipment, repairs to shared areas and facilities, and lounge Wi-Fi.
- Utilities: heating, water and a new charge for communal electricity.
Communal electricity is the electricity used in shared areas of your scheme, like corridors, kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms and entrances. The council currently pays for this.
Why we are looking at this
Running and maintaining our schemes costs around £1.78 million a year. The council pays a large share of this and with ongoing financial pressures this cannot be sustained.
Any charges made will only reflect the actual cost of the services at your scheme. The council will not make a profit, and the charges would be reviewed every year.
What it could cost
Your letter shows the projected charges for your scheme. Charges may vary from scheme to scheme as they depend on the size and layout of the building, and the number of homes in each scheme.
The service charges will include the cost of gas, electricity and water used in the communal areas, like the lounge, kitchen, laundry rooms and corridors. A full breakdown of your scheme's charges is available on request.
We are looking at ways to limit any increases and keep costs down, like more energy efficient lighting. Everyone can help too, by turning off lights in shared rooms when leaving and only using facilities if you live at the scheme.
No decision has been made
This is an early engagement exercise, not a final decision. We want to hear your views first. Your feedback will help us understand any concerns and where extra support may be needed.
If charges are introduced, a formal consultation will be carried out with affected tenants, and the charges would not start before April 2027.
Help and support
Most service charges are eligible for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. If you get benefits and your charges go up, your benefit would usually go up to cover it.
Our Money Advice Team can give you free, confidential advice. Call them on 01484 414975 or email MAU@kirklees.gov.uk.
How to take part
The survey takes a few minutes. It asks about affordability and how a charge would affect you. You can take part in these ways:
Complete the survey online
Fill in our simple online survey.
Clock Completing this survey takes around 5 minutes.
Complete the online survey- Fill in the paper survey that comes with your letter. Hand it to your Independent Living Officer, or post it back for free using the freepost address provided.
- Come along to the session at your scheme, where staff can help you fill it in. Dates will be shared at your scheme.
- Talk to your Independent Living Officer.
You can also call us on 01484 414886:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 10am to 5pm
- Friday: 9am to 4:30pm
What happens next
Your feedback is important to us, and this will be used to inform any future proposals. We will provide answers to frequently asked questions with all schemes and these will be updated on your scheme notice boards.