CAM/11UF/LIS/2023/0001 — service charge decision
In CAM/11UF/LIS/2023/0001, decided 30 June 2023, the First-tier Tribunal considered 34 disputed service charge items at 1 St Dunstans Court, 113 Totteridge Road, High Wycombe HP13 6EY and reached a mixed result: 5 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 1 St Dunstans Court, 113 Totteridge Road, High Wycombe HP13 6EY
Decision date: 30 June 2023
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Blue Property Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2020) | £4,035.15 | £1,802.26 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2020) | £900 | £900 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2020) | £1,400 | £800 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Cleaning (2020) | £850 | £350 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2020) | £480 | £480 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2020) | £350 | £350 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2020) | £175 | £175 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2020) | £1,260 | £1,260 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021) | £1,802.26 | £1,802.26 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021) | £258 | £258 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2021) | £660 | £660 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2021) | £350 | £350 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £85 | £85 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2021) | £1,538 | £1,538 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £210 | £210 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2021) | £544 | £544 | Allowed in full | — |
| Administration charges (2021) | £24 | £24 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £1,170 | £1,170 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021) | £2,800 | £1,911 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Buildings insurance (2022) | £1,802.26 | £1,802.26 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022) | £1,380 | £1,380 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2022) | £846 | £846 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2022) | £342 | £342 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £255 | £255 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2022) | £961 | £961 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £210 | £210 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2022) | £676 | £676 | Allowed in full | — |
| Administration charges (2022) | £20 | £20 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022) | £2,310 | £2,006.55 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
Key passages (verbatim)
“The tribunal determines that the relevant cost which is reasonable and payable as a service charge in respect of insurance is £1,802.26 for the 2020 accounting year.”
“The level and quality of service is commensurate with the cost incurred. The tribunal determines that the service charge which is reasonable and payable is that which is demanded, being £900.”
“The tribunal determines that the service charge which is reasonable and payable is £800.”
“the tribunal determines that a bi-monthly cleaning rota for 2 people to clean these communal areas for 2 hours on each visit can be achieved for £350 per annum.”
“The tribunal determines that the service charge which is reasonable and payable is £480.”
“The tribunal determines that the service charge which is reasonable and payable is £240.”
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.