Service charges pay for all communal services such as grounds maintenance, street lights, play areas, communal paths, communal fencing, clearing communal grounds of any rubbish and fly tipping.
If you live in a block of flats with communal areas, service charges can also include communal cleaning, lighting, door entry systems, fire safety, heating and water.
This is not a complete list as your service charge costs depend upon where you live and which services you receive.