St George’s Estate Resident Update

Your 2026/27 Rent and Service Charge Information  

 

Dear Residents,

At East End Homes, we understand that changes to rents and service charges can be worrying, 
especially with the rising cost of living. We want to reassure residents at St George’s Estate that we 
are committed to being fair, transparent, and accountable in how charges are reviewed and applied. 


This newsletter explains how charges are calculated, what changes you may see this year, and the 
support available if you need help.

Why Are Rents and Service Charges Reviewed Each Year?  

Every year, East End Homes reviews rents and service charges to ensure:  

  • Charges  remain  compliant with government guidance .  

  • Residents only pay for services provided .  

  • Costs are transparent and evidence   based .  

  • Services can continue to be delivered safely and effectively .  

 

Understanding the Difference: Rent vs Service Charges  

It is important to know that rent and service charges are separate charges.  

 

Rent  

Rent relates to the occupation of your home and is increased in line Government policy .  

 

Service Charges  

Service charges cover the cost of services provided to your building or estate, such as:  

  • Anti - Social Behaviour   

  • C leaning  

  • Horticulture   

  • Lighting to communal areas  

  • Door entry systems  

  • Lift maintenance  

  • Building Health & safety  

  • CCTV  

  • TV  Aerial   

  • Concierge  

These charges are based on the actual cost of delivering services, not a fixed percentage increase.  

Social Rent Increases for 2026/27 

For social rented homes, rent increases follow government guidance based on CPI + 1%. The September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 3.8%. This means that the 2026/27 rent increase was 4.8%. 

This is a standard national approach applied across Housing Associations and councils. 

 

Why Some Service Charges May Change This Year 

This year, East End Homes carried out a more detailed review of individual services to improve transparency and accuracy. 

Previously, some charges relied more heavily on historic averages. For 2026/27, we reviewed the current contractual cost of each service instead. 

 

What This Means 

Overall charges remain broadly stable. 

Some individual service charges may increase. 

Some service charge may decrease. 

Charges are now more closely linked to actual service delivery costs. 

This approach helps ensure residents are charged fairly and only for the services received. 

 

Why Haven’t Service Charge Breakdowns Been Issued Yet? 

We appreciate residents wanting a full breakdown of charges. 

The intention was to issue detailed breakdowns alongside the annual variation notices. Unfortunately, there has been a slight delay in finalising this information. 

The updated service charge breakdowns are expected to be issued at the beginning of next month. 

We apologise for the delay and appreciate your patience. 

 

How Do You Work Out Service Charges? 

Service charges are based on: 

  • Existing service contracts 
  • Actual operational costs 
  • Planned service delivery requirements 
  • Compliance obligations 
  • Estate and block specific needs 

East End Homes also reviews charges internally to ensure they remain reasonable and proportionate. 

 

How Do EEH Charges Compare to Other Housing Associations? 

Service charges are not increased using a flat percentage approach. 

This is intentional. 

Using a simple percentage increase each year could mean residents pay more even when services have not changed. Instead, East End Homes reviews actual service costs annually so the charges are better reflected: 

  • The service being delivered. 
  • Frequency of works. 
  • Current contractor costs. 
  • Estate requirements. 

This approach is designed to be more transparent and fairer to residents. 

 Garage, Car Parking Space and Shed Charges 

Garage and parking charges are reviewed annually. 

Unfortunately, due to administrative delays, formal notices confirming the latest increases were not issued in time before the planned implementation date of 4 May. 

 

What Happens Next? 

To correct this: 

  • Charges will temporarily revert to the March rate. 

  • Revised increases are expected to take effect in June. 

  • Residents will receive at least 7 working days’ formal notice before any new charge is applied. 

 

Why Have Garage and Storage Charges Increased? 

As part of our annual review, East End Homes looked carefully at the charges for garages, car spaces, carports and pram sheds to ensure they remain fair, reasonable and consistent across our services. 

Over a number of years, these charges had remained comparatively low when measured against similar providers in the local area. To help ensure charges remain sustainable and proportionate, a review was carried out considering several factors, including: 

  • Consistency of charges across East End Homes properties.  

  • Comparison with similar local housing providers.  

  • Affordability for residents.  

  • Current market conditions across the borough.  

Garage and storage related charges are different from social housing rents and are not regulated under the Government’s CPI +1 rent formula. This means they are reviewed separately to reflect the actual cost and local market position of these services. 

While some charges have increased, East End Homes has sought to keep them at a reasonable level. Following the review: 

  • Car spaces and carports remain below many comparable local housing association rates.  

  • Garage charges remain broadly within the mid-range of local providers.  

  • Shed and pram shed charges generally remain toward the lower end of comparable local charges.  

Our aim is to ensure charges remain fair, transparent and reflective of the services and facilities provided, while continuing to offer good value for residents.

Supporting Residents Through Cost-of-Living Pressures 

We recognise many households continue to face financial pressures. 

If you are worried about affordability or managing payments, support is available. East End Homes can provide guidance around: 

  • Payment arrangements 

  • Welfare benefit support 

  • Budgeting assistance 

  • Income maximisation advice 

  • Referrals for independent support services 

Please contact the Rent Team as early as possible if you need help. 

Services Provided at St Georges Estate

Keeping Your Estate Safe, Clean and Well Maintained – Love Where You Live. 

East End Homes provides a wide range of services across St George’s Estate to help keep buildings safe, secure, clean and well managed for residents. 

Many of these services operate behind the scenes and involve regular inspections, specialist contractors, safety testing and emergency response arrangements. 

This guide explains some of the key services included within estate and service charges and how they help support residents and the wider community. 

 

Building Safety & Fire Safety 

Resident safety remains one of our highest priorities. 

A programme of regular inspections, servicing and compliance checks are carried out throughout the estate to help ensure communal areas and fire safety systems remain operational and compliant. 

Health & Safety Checks 

Our Fire Safety Team carries out regular monthly health and safety inspections across the estate. These checks are supported by our Housing and Caretaking Teams who also monitor communal areas during their daily duties. 

These inspections include checks on: 

  • Fire exits and escape routes 

  • Obstructions in corridors and stairwells 

  • Fire doors and communal doors 

  • Emergency lighting 

  • Building signage 

  • Door entry security 

  • Trip hazards and unsafe areas 

Where issues are identified, action is taken to resolve them as quickly as possible. 

Fire Safety Arrangements Across the Estate 

Different buildings across the estate operate different fire safety arrangements, depending on how the building was designed and assessed. 

 

Smithfield & Burlington Court 

These buildings have: 

  • Audible fire alarm systems 

  • Heat alarm and autodial systems 

  • Evacuation procedures where appropriate 

Other Blocks 

The remaining blocks operate under a ‘Stay Put’ fire strategy, which is a nationally recognised approach used in many purpose-built blocks of flats. 

This means residents are normally safest remaining within their own flat unless directly affected by fire, smoke or instructed otherwise by the Fire Brigade. 

All buildings have: 

  • Fire safety signage 

  • Emergency exit signage 

  • Smoke ventilation systems (AOVs) 

  • Regular fire risk assessments 

  • Fire door inspections 

Some blocks also benefit from: 

  • Bin chute sprinkler systems 

  • Heat detection systems 

 

Ongoing Fire Safety Improvements 

East End Homes continues to review and assess building safety measures across the estate. 

This includes ongoing assessments relating to: 

  • Fire compartmentation 

  • Fire door upgrades 

  • Building safety improvements 

  • Compliance with evolving fire safety guidance 

External wall fire risk assessments are also carried out on a cyclical basis by specialist professionals. 

 

Fire Safety Servicing & Compliance 

To help ensure systems remain operational and compliant, specialist contractors carry out routine servicing and inspections throughout the year, including: 

  • Fire Risk Assessments 

  • Emergency Lighting Testing 

  • Dry Riser Servicing 

  • Smoke Ventilation (AOV) Testing 

  • Sprinkler Testing 

  • Fire Door Inspections 

  • Heat Alarm & Autodial System Testing 

Many of these services are inspected quarterly, six-monthly or annually depending on legal and operational requirements. 

Lifts 

Passenger lifts are regularly inspected, serviced and repaired to help maintain reliability and resident safety. 

What Is Included? 

  • Independent insurance inspections every six months 

  • Monthly lift servicing 

  • Emergency breakdown response 

  • Passenger release attendance where residents become trapped 

Lift systems are complex mechanical assets and, while every effort is made to minimise disruption, repair times can sometimes depend on specialist parts availability. 

Residents can report lift issues directly to East End Homes or through the lift contractor. 

 

CCTV  

CCTV systems are in place across parts of the estate to support resident safety and assist with the monitoring of communal areas. 

Regular servicing includes: 

  • Camera testing 

  • Recording checks 

  • Time stamp verification 

  • Equipment cleaning and maintenance 

Door Entry Systems 

Door entry systems help provide controlled access to buildings and support estate security. 

Maintenance includes: 

  • Access panels 

  • Entry handsets 

  • Locking systems 

  • Fob programming 

  • Emergency access systems 

East End Homes is also introducing additional security enhancements to help reduce unauthorised access and minimise damage to communal entrance systems. 

 

Car Park Gates & Shutters 

Vehicle gates, shutters and access systems are maintained to support estate security and resident access. 

Servicing includes: 

  • Motor checks 

  • Sensor testing 

  • Safety mechanism inspections 

  • Running gear maintenance 

  • Access control repairs 

Emergency repairs and breakdown attendance are also provided when required. 

East End Homes covers the cost of this service.  

 

Concierge Service 

The estate benefits from an SIA-licensed concierge service operating Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm. 

Concierge staff provide a visible presence across the estate and help support both residents and building safety. 

Their responsibilities include: 

  • Monitoring entrances and communal areas 

  • Supporting access control 

  • Conducting patrols 

  • Monitoring CCTV systems 

  • Responding to emergencies 

  • Reporting repairs and hazards 

  • Supporting fire safety procedures 

  • Assisting with lift incidents 

  • Helping maintain communal areas 

The concierge service plays an important role in helping the estate remain safe, secure and well managed. 

 

Estate & Block Cleaning 

Regular cleaning services are provided to communal areas across the estate and within residential blocks. 

This includes: 

  • Internal communal cleaning 

  • Lobby and lift cleaning 

  • Stairwells and corridors 

  • Bin areas and bin chutes 

  • Estate pathways and communal spaces 

The service includes staffing, equipment, cleaning materials and transport costs. 

East End Homes also plans to reintroduce routine bin chute servicing to help maintain cleanliness and fire safety standards. 

 

Bulk Refuse Removal 

A dedicated East End Homes team carries out regular bulk refuse collections across the estate. 

This service helps: 

  • Reduce fire risks 

  • Prevent obstructions 

  • Maintain cleaner communal areas 

  • Improve estate appearance 

  • Support health and safety standards 

Collections currently take place twice weekly. 

The service is included in your estate cleaning costs. 

 

Communal Electricity 

Communal energy charges help cover the cost of electricity used in shared areas across the estate, including: 

  • Communal lighting 

  • Lift operation 

  • Door entry systems 

  • Estate lighting 

  • Safety and security systems 

These services operate continuously and form an important part of maintaining a safe environment for residents.

Pest Control 

Pest Control is carried out by London Borough of Tower Hamlets.  They provide advice and standard treatment for a range of pests, including American and Oriental cockroaches, German cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, silverfish, mice, wasps within a building’s structure and Pharaoh ants.   

Residents must make direct contact with LBTH Pest Control via the Council’s online booking form or the Contact Centre to arrange a visit. 

Phone: 020 7364 5000 (ask for Pest Control) 

Email: pest.control@towerhamlets.gov.uk 

Website Booking: Tower Hamlets Pest Control 

During the booking residents will be advised of the treatment programmes, follow‑up visits and any preparation required before the officer's attend. 

 

Community Safety & Anti-Social Behaviour Support 

East End Homes commissions a neighbourhood patrol service delivered by trained and licensed officers. 

The patrol service provides: 

  • A visible estate presence 

  • Community safety patrols 

  • Support with anti-social behaviour issues 

  • Partnership working with local agencies 

  • Crime prevention initiatives 

The aim is to help residents feel safer within their homes and communal spaces.

Shared Responsibility 

Keeping the estate safe and well maintained is a shared responsibility. 

Residents can help by: 

  • Keeping corridors and stairwells clear and free from obstruction 

  • Disposing of rubbish responsibly 

  • Reporting repairs promptly 

  • Preventing tailgating through secure doors 

  • Allowing access for safety inspections, where required 

Working together helps maintain a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone. 

 

Our Commitment to Residents 

East End Homes is committed to: 

  • Fair and transparent charging 

  • Regulatory compliance 

  • Listening to residents 

  • Improving communication 

  • Delivering value for money 

  • Maintaining safe and well-managed estates 

We know that trust is built through openness and consistency, and we will continue working to improve how information is shared with residents across St George’s Estate. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. 

East End Homes