CAM/00MC/LIS/2023/0027 — service charge decision
In CAM/00MC/LIS/2023/0027, decided 28 February 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 34 disputed service charge items at Flats 19 and 26 Projection West, Reading and reached a mixed result: 16 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flats 19 and 26 Projection West, Reading
Decision date: 28 February 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Moreland Estate Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve fund contributions (2019-2024) | — | — | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Other grounds |
| Cleaning (2019) | £2,600 | — | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2020) | £1,300 | — | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Buildings insurance (2020) | £16,637.39 | £16,637.39 | Withdrawn | — |
| Buildings insurance (2023) | £25,450.98 | £25,450.98 | Withdrawn | — |
| Buildings insurance (2024) | £30,350.99 | £30,350.99 | Withdrawn | — |
| Other charges (2021) | — | — | conceded | — |
| Cleaning (2021) | £9,255 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Cleaning (2022) | £9,135 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Cleaning (2023) | £10,130 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Cleaning (2024) | £9,750 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Utilities (2021) | £12,400 | £12,400 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2022) | £12,000 | £12,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2023) | £12,000 | £12,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2024) | £18,000 | £18,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £13,200 | £13,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £13,200 | £13,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023) | £13,200 | £13,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £13,200 | £13,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £6,908.40 | £6,908.40 | Withdrawn | — |
| Other charges (2023) | £2,747.51 | £2,747.51 | Withdrawn | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £11,232.50 | — | Reduced | Duplication of charges, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2022) | £2,823.56 | £1,803.56 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2021) | £4,131 | £4,131 | Withdrawn | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £1,100 | £600 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2023) | £4,795 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Management fees (2021) | £10,809 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Management fees (2022) | £10,809 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Management fees (2023) | £11,133 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Management fees (2024) | £11,967 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Legal & professional costs (2021) | £8,965 | £8,965 | Withdrawn | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £7,168.80 | £7,168.80 | Withdrawn | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2024) | £1,573 | £1,573 | Withdrawn | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2024) | £1,000 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Other grounds |
Key passages (verbatim)
“we cannot be satisfied that these sums demanded can be treated as 'a reasonable amount as a reserve for or towards those of the matters mentioned in the Seventh Schedule as are likely to give rise to expenditure after such Service Charge Year'”
“the sums appear extremely high and unreasonable for what the Landlord was entitled to do under the lease. The Applicants have established a prima facie case. The Respondent has been unable to justify the sums claimed.”
“We agree with the parties that a sum of £400 per annum for window cleaning is a reasonable sum (£100 per quarter).”
“using that brush, the percentage should be 15%.”
“using that brush, the percentage should be 15%.”
“using that brush, the percentage should be 15%.”
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.