Service charge on our flat has consistently gone up 18% each year for the last 3 years. Is it normal?

Huge increases in service charges are, sadly, commonplace. There's no "cap" on increases to service charges, although the law says any increase has to be "reasonable" (which is, of course, the sort of ambiguous word that lawyers love). Assuming that your flat is leasehold: "**Service charges** "Your lease sets out the way the service charge is organised and what can be charged. If you pay a service charge, you have the right to: * ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on * see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts "Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not. [https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/service-charges-and-other-expenses](https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/service-charges-and-other-expenses) Also see "**Rent and service charges support guide** "Use this support guide to address problems with rent or service charges. It will help you with rent or charges your landlord has asked you to pay or that you have already paid." [https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/support-guides/charges/](https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/support-guides/charges/)