CHI/24UP/LIS/2022/0028 — service charge decision
In CHI/24UP/LIS/2022/0028, decided 19 December 2022, the First-tier Tribunal considered 7 disputed service charge items at 9a Andover Road, Winchester and reached a mixed result: 3 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 9a Andover Road, Winchester
Decision date: 19 December 2022
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: GH Property Management Services Limited.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management fees (2019-2021) | £300 | £300 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2020-2021) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2019-2021) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2019-2021) | — | £1,302.50 | Reduced | Apportionment error |
| Other charges (2019-2021) | — | £111.25 | Reduced | Apportionment error |
| Administration charges (2019-2021) | £90 | £50 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Administration charges (2019-2021) | £150 | £150 | Allowed in full | — |
Key passages (verbatim)
“His fee including vat for the disputed years was £1200 of which the Respondent is liable to pay £300... I am satisfied that the fee charged being £1000 plus vat for the building as a whole is reasonable.”
“I find that an interim charge may be levied under the lease. I am satisfied that the budget can include a claim for the premium for the forthcoming year.”
“I am satisfied that a prudent landlord would undertake such assessments as are included within the budget... The amounts budgeted are in the order of £450 in total and I am satisfied that such is a reasonable sum to budget.”
“I find Mr Forse is only liable for 25% of the estimated costs being £1,302.50 payable in two tranches as demanded of £651.25.”
“I determine that Mr Forse is only liable to pay 25% of the intercom system costs [85] and so liable for £111.25.”
“A sum of £90 is sought for late payment. In my judgment this is not reasonable and using my expertise I substitute a fee of £50.”
“The impression I gained was that Mr Forse only wanted to be charged amounts he agreed with.”
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.