Over the past 12 months, Assure has welcomed a growing number of occupiers, many transitioning from other service charge consultancy firms in search of greater transparency and expertise.  One such client, occupies a restaurant unit in a bustling Manchester shopping centre.  As part of the integration of a new client, we review lease terms in relation to service budgets and actuals, ensuring the apportionment is accurate.

Identifying Discrepancies in Service Charge Allocation

The client’s reported floor area did not align with the Managing Agent’s figures.  Further analysis revealed that the discrepancy stemmed from outdated data, where a 50% weighting had not been applied to an additional outside seating area.  This discrepancy required urgent correction, as it would reduce the total floor area apportionment by 20%, potentially lowering service charges by £20,000 per year.

Proactively Challenging and Correcting the Data

The team challenged the Managing Agent with our findings, who, upon investigation, found no supporting evidence for the floor area used.  They subsequently obtained a current measured plan, which confirmed a lower floor area figure.

Ensuring Fairer Allocations and Significant Savings

This proactive challenge led to the correction of the floor area used for service charge calculations, resulting in a fairer allocation and a substantial reduction in annual liability for the restaurant unit of £20,000 per year.

Maximising Savings with Our Accelerated Savings Process

Our Accelerated Savings Process quickly identifies opportunities on first assessment of the documents relating to a site. Utilising our bespoke database, Verivi, we compare the lease terms with the apportionment matrix, ensuring any discrepancies are found.

Get Control of Your Occupancy Costs

If you are an occupier looking to gain control over your occupancy costs, the team at Assure Consulting are here to help.  With our expertise and proactive approach, we can uncover opportunities for savings and ensure fairer allocations for your service charges.  To get started, simply fill out the contact form below, and one of our specialists will be in touch to discuss how we can assist you.