CHI/00HB/LSC/2024/0019 — service charge decision
In CHI/00HB/LSC/2024/0019, decided 17 February 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 10 disputed service charge items at Flat 13, Underdown House, Guinea Street, Bristol, BS1 6TA and found largely for the landlord: 0 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flat 13, Underdown House, Guinea Street, Bristol, BS1 6TA
Decision date: 17 February 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Bristol City Council.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2019-2020) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020-2021) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2022-2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022-2023) | £172.86 | £172.86 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023-2024) | £202.31 | £202.31 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2022-2023) | £166 | £166 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2023-2024) | £370 | £370 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024-2025) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £500 | £0 | conceded | Other grounds |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The Tribunal determines that asbestos removal or treatment is part of the cost of keeping the structure in good repair. Accordingly, the cost is payable as part of the service charge.”
“Communal electricity in 2020/21 had initially been charged at £104,956 for the Blocks. The Tenant had queried this amount, and the charge had been reduced to £16,230. Ms McKay informed the Tribunal that this had been a clerical error which had been corrected at the time.”
“Given that these were actual costs of energy supplied to the Council the Tribunal confirmed the amounts as charged.”
“The Tribunal determines that the management charges as levied are reasonable and payable.”
“The Tribunal determines that the management charges as levied are reasonable and payable.”
“Ms Persad did not introduce any alternative insurance quotes. Accordingly, the Tribunal determined that the charge was reasonable and payable.”
“The Tribunal agrees that it is difficult to understand from the Council's service charge demands how hot water and heating is provided and charged, but no evidence was provided that the charges are excessive.”
“There have been errors in the calculation of service charges for the Applicant over some years. This has been fully accepted by Ms McKay on behalf of the Council.”
“the Applicant felt it necessary to make the application to the Tribunal in order to receive information that could otherwise and should have been provided by the Respondent”
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.