CHI/45UH/LSC/2020/0021 — service charge decision
In CHI/45UH/LSC/2020/0021, decided 7 January 2021, the First-tier Tribunal considered 35 disputed service charge items at Flats A and B, 213 Brighton Road, Worthing and reached a mixed result: 5 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flats A and B, 213 Brighton Road, Worthing
Decision date: 7 January 2021
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Parsons Son & Basley (PSB).
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2010-11) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2010-11) | £2,345.89 | £2,345.89 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2011-12) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2012-13) | £800 | £800 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2012-13) | £183.48 | £183.48 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2012-13) | £350 | £350 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2013-14) | £123.10 | £123.10 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2013-14) | £225.95 | £225.95 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2014-15) | £270 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Legal & professional costs (2014-15) | £300 | £300 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2014-15) | £1,500 | £1,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2014-15) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2014-15) | £210 | £210 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2014-15) | £252 | £252 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2015-16) | £472.20 | £472.20 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2015-16) | £210 | £210 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2015-16) | £950 | £950 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2016-17) | £99.99 | £99.99 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2016-17) | £210 | £381.89 | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2016-17) | £1,850 | £1,850 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2017-18) | £350 | £350 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2017-18) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2017-18) | £250 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2017-18) | £100 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Buildings insurance (2017-18) | £950 | £950 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018-19) | £100 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2018-19) | £150 | £150 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2018-19) | £150 | £150 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2018-19) | £600 | £600 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2018-19) | £200 | £100 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Buildings insurance (2018-19) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2018-19) | £250 | £250 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018-19) | £381.89 | £219.85 | Allowed in full | — |
| Administration charges (2018-19) | £38 | £38 | Allowed in full | — |
| Administration charges (2018-19) | £162 | £162 | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: refused.
Key passages (verbatim)
“the agreement for the provision of fire protection works is not a QLTA and no obligation to consult arose in relation thereto.”
“The Tribunal therefore rejects the Applicants' criticisms of this item.”
“The same points arise as in 2010-11. The Tribunal rejects the Applicants' criticisms of this item.”
“Nothing in those figures suggests unreasonableness in the service charges demanded.”
“The same points arise as in 2010-11. The Tribunal rejects the Applicants' criticisms of this item.”
“The Tribunal finds that this item was not unreasonable.”
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.