CHI/29UN/LIS/2020/0047 — service charge decision
In CHI/29UN/LIS/2020/0047, decided 8 December 2020, the First-tier Tribunal considered 9 disputed service charge items at Northumberland Court, Northumberland Avenue, Margate and found largely for the landlord: 0 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Northumberland Court, Northumberland Avenue, Margate
Decision date: 8 December 2020
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Mark Blooman MRICS, B2 Chartered Surveyors.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & maintenance (2020-21) | £160,500 | £160,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2020-21) | £24,000 | £24,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2020-21) | £20,000 | £20,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2020-21) | £4,000 | £4,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2020-21) | £4,000 | £4,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020-21) | £2,000 | £2,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020-21) | £720 | £720 | Allowed in full | — |
| Lifts (2020-21) | £615 | £615 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020-21) | £1,400 | £1,400 | Allowed in full | — |
Key passages (verbatim)
“The Tribunal finds that the five year maintenance supplied a firm and rational foundation for the proposed budget of £160,500.00 for repairs and maintenance.”
“Fee set by FTT inclusive of VAT in decision of 27 August 2019.”
“An additional cost of £1,862.29 over and above the current policy cost of £18,814.71 due to a new claim that had been made in respect of Flat D.”
“An increase of £500.00 for a new cleaner on the cost approved by FTT in respect of year ended 30 June 2020.”
“An increase of £1,000.00 for a new cleaner on the cost approved by FTT in respect of year ended 30 June 2020.”
“Cost comparable with FIT approved budget for year ended 30 June 2020.”
“since 1988 the directors of the Residents' Company had commissioned ten reports on the condition of the property which had highlighted priority works to be carried out but the directors had not acted on those reports”
“the current Board was ill-equipped to deal with the immense challenges that prevailed at Northumberland Court”
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.