There has been a lot of focus recently on Service Charges, as both Retailers and landlords focus on tight cost control to protect margins in these tough economic times. This is an area where landlord and Retailer interests should align, with landlord contributions to marketing and void costs making them an important contributor to service charges, as well as the stewards of this expenditure.

Greater transparency, dialogue and sharing of best practice are critical to improving value, and quality benchmarking data is an essential facilitator of this. That is why we at CSC are so pleased to see the increased number of contributors to Jones Lang LaSalle’s OSCAR exercise, and to play our part in providing a robust benchmarking platform.                       
 

Trevor Pereira
Commercial Director CSC

 

In these challenging times, the need for transparency on service charges is essential. The information contained in the Jones Lang LaSalle Retail Oscar provides an effective and informative tool for all parties involved in the retail industry dealing with service charges. House of Fraser supports the compilation of the report as a valuable basis on which to compare service level costs across a broad range of centres.

 

Julie Daver
House of Fraser

Following the introduction of the RICS Code of Practice and the current downturn in the worldwide economic climate, the ability for all parties to benchmark service charges is paramount. OSCAR is the most valuable tool available to UK Property Managers to accomplish this; however ‘beating’ OSCAR should not be the only goal. Reducing occupancy costs wherever possible should be the main aim, whilst still maintaining value for money on the required services for the property to operate successfully.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Retail OSCAR has long assisted in aiding the transparency of services charges and now, for many to become more
compliant with the RICS Code of Practice.

PPML have always found the information it contains a useful tool to enable us to advise our clients as to the accuracy, necessity and legitimacy of
the charges they are asked to pay. This is essential for all parties in an increasingly difficult market.

 
Peeter Pargma
Pargma Portfolio Management Limited