CHI/21UD/LIS/2023/0005 — service charge decision
In CHI/21UD/LIS/2023/0005, decided 4 September 2023, the First-tier Tribunal considered 38 disputed service charge items at Top Flat, 60 Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, East Sussex and reached a mixed result: 9 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Top Flat, 60 Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, East Sussex
Decision date: 4 September 2023
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: HAS Property Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2015) | £108.28 | £108.28 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2015) | £350 | £250 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Utilities (2015) | £123 | £123 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2015) | £58.13 | £50.73 | Reduced | Other grounds |
| Other charges (2015) | £25.97 | £25.97 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2016) | £108.81 | £108.81 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2016) | £120 | £60 | Reduced | Other grounds |
| Management fees (2016) | £16.88 | £16.88 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2016) | £0.29 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Demand formally invalid |
| Buildings insurance (2017) | £115.35 | £115.35 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2017) | £11.53 | £11.53 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2017) | £10.77 | £10.77 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2018) | £121.11 | £121.11 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2018) | £32.50 | £32.50 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018) | £75 | £37.50 | Reduced | Other grounds |
| Other charges (2018) | £30 | £30 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2018) | £64.94 | £64.94 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2018) | £288 | £288 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018) | £30.20 | £30.20 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018) | £640 | £320 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2019) | £93.62 | £93.62 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2019) | £806 | £806 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2019) | £172.06 | £141.46 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Management fees (2019) | £145.29 | £141.61 | Reduced | Other grounds |
| Legal & professional costs (2019) | £108 | £108 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2019) | £31.10 | £31.10 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2020) | £93.62 | £93.62 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2020) | £105 | £105 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020) | £47.57 | £47.57 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2020) | £38.56 | £38.56 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2020) | £108 | £108 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020) | £31.43 | £31.43 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021) | £174.97 | £174.97 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021) | £360 | £250 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Utilities (2021) | £55.69 | £55.69 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021) | £87.75 | £74.55 | Reduced | Other grounds |
| Legal & professional costs (2021) | £108 | £108 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £32.60 | £32.60 | Allowed in full | — |
Key passages (verbatim)
“Insurance* £108.28 — demands where the only challenge was in respect of service have been indicated by * and are determined as payable in full.”
“Roof repairs* (lack of S.20) £250.00 admitted”
“Electricity supply works £123.00 The Tribunal is satisfied that the invoice relates to the provision of a landlord's supply and is properly charged.”
“The Tribunal adjusts this in respect of the reduction in roof repair charges to 10% of £507.25 i.e., £50.73, a reduction of £7.40”
“Bank Charges £25.97 The Tribunal determines that these charges are recoverable under the lease and that the amount is reasonable.”
“Insurance* £108.81”
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.