To create a new service charge group

The procedure to create a new service charge group is as follows:

1. Navigate to Quick Menu > Service Charges > Configuration > Groups. The Service Charge Group window is displayed.
2. Click on New Group. All fields are activated ready for data entry 1.
3. Enter a Description for the service charge group into the field provided 2.
4. Enter a Functional unit description into the dynamic search field provided 3. All possible matches are returned in the Functional Unit Search Results summary table.
5. Double-click on the row matching the desired functional unit to which the service charge group relates. The selected record appears in the Functional unit field.
6. Using the Apportionment rule drop-down field, select the method by which service charges will be allocated to the group members i.e. Bedrooms, Equal Division, Floor Space or User Defined. Where a bespoke SQL stored procedure has been created to control the apportionment of service charges, select User Defined and enter the procedure name into the SQL Routine field provided 4.
7. Where apportionment rules applied to the service charge group are to take account of any fixed charges in operation, activate the Include fixed asset rules in apportionment tick box provided.
8. Using the Applicable asset classification drop-down field, multi-select all asset types for which this service charge group is relevant, or choose the All option, as required 1.
9. Use the Comments field to add any contextual information that is relevant to the service charge group.
10. Choose an Effective from date for this service charge group i.e. the date on which it came into effect 5.
11. Choose an Effective to date if the service charge group is to be reviewed on a specific date or to capture a change of circumstances; a blank field means the group will be continually valid.
12. Click on Save 6.

Tip

1 Where only a small number of parameter values are not required, activate the All tick box first and then deselect individual items from the full list, as appropriate; the All tick box will be automatically removed once an item is deselected.

Note

1 Upon first access, all fields are automatically activated ready for data entry; hence the New Group button is inactive.

2 System validation rules ensure that the description entered for each service charge group is unique for the effective period.

3 The field will operate as a dynamic search function and match against any element of the functional unit name based on the successive characters entered.

4 More complex algorithms can be captured within a SQL stored procedure and linked to the group for service charge apportionment, as dictated by the housing organisation's policy.

5 The Effective from date defaults to the current system date and cannot be left blank.

6 To amend the details of an existing parameter, select a service charge group from the alphabetical list or type its name into the Search Groups field. By default the list is filtered to show Current groups. An alternative filter can be applied using the Select view drop-down field: Expired, Future or All combinations. Only a limited number of fields can be updated once a record has been created.

See related topics...

Service charge group maintenance overview

To add an administration rule to a service charge group

To add a capping rule to a service charge group

To add a cost element to a service charge group

To add an asset to a service charge group