While anecdotal evidence about best and poor practice is useful to a journalist or researcher, it should not be used to shape or limit the agenda for change within the commercial service charge sector. As a result, in order to assess the impact of the RICS Code, and suggest where its guidance might be improved, it is vital to objectively measure and benchmark industry practice since it became effective on 1 April 2007. Without such research, an appropriate agenda for change will never be determined. 

A fundamental aim of the new Service Charge Operating Report (SCOR) was to provide objective analysis about Code compliance and accounting transparency based upon a representative sample of UK commercial multi-let office space. As the reportís data were collected from the actual commercial service charge documents supplied to occupiers using clearly defined parameters, SCOR analysis is objective. Since the core data set included 756 buildings with total floor space equivalent to 9.6% of multi-let office space in England and Wales, it is also representative of the total population of such buildings.

The mere thought of having to individually read and analyse a vast multitude of service charge documents may fill the present reader with dread. However, this is what an academic enjoys, as analysing archived service charge documents is the only objective method of measuring Code compliance and accounting transparency. As the findings of SCOR 2011 highlight, there is a need to improve the overall levels of accounting disclosure and transparency within most service charge budgets and certificates.

I would be interested in receiving comments from occupiers, managing agents and landlords about the current state of accounting for commercial service charges. Factual evidence of either best or poor practice will also be gratefully received.