This should be clearly set out in the service charges provisions contained in the lease. If an item is not included in these provisions then the landlord may not be able to recover his/her expenditure. Many leases contain “sweeper” clauses that allow the landlord to claim for items not specifically covered elsewhere. Normally the lease covers items such as the painting, decorating, repair and maintenance of the common parts and the exterior of the property, roof and lift repairs, the repair or replacement of plant and machinery, grounds maintenance, provision of a caretaker service, building insurance and the payment of agents/management fees etc.