Decision summary

CAM/00MD/LSC/2020/0039 — service charge decision

In CAM/00MD/LSC/2020/0039, decided 16 February 2021, the First-tier Tribunal considered 3 disputed service charge items at 11-15 Rockall Court, Langley, Slough and reached a mixed result: 1 item was reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.

Property: 11-15 Rockall Court, Langley, Slough
Decision date: 16 February 2021
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK

Managing agent named in the decision: Bolt Burdon LLP.

What was challenged and what the tribunal decided

ItemDemandedAllowedOutcomeGrounds
Legal & professional costs£6,585£4,050ReducedCosts unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Duplication of charges, Not payable under the lease
Other charges£36£36Allowed in full—
Other charges£1,600£1,600Allowed in full—

Key passages (verbatim)

“Calculating the time allowed by the approved hourly rate of £360, this makes the legal costs £4,050, plus any VAT that may be payable.”
On legal & professional costs
“Disbursements of £36 approved, plus any VAT that may be payable.”
On other charges
“The costs of the enfranchisement report had been agreed at £1,600, although VAT liability was disputed.”
On other charges
“The SCCO rates date back to 2010 and the argument as to NatWest's legal department is, frankly, bizarre.”
Of Applicants' representative (Pro-Leagle LLP)
“That seems a rather weak justification but given that the objection was in relation to input tax, I have no reason to doubt the fact that the respondent and the beneficial owner of the property is not registered for VAT”
Of Applicants – objection to unsigned KPMG letter

Related

This summary is assembled from the structured record of the published decision; amounts appear only where the tribunal stated them. Always rely on the full decision itself.