Decision summary

HAV/00HB/LSC/2025/0702 — service charge decision

In HAV/00HB/LSC/2025/0702, decided 21 May 2026, the First-tier Tribunal considered 9 disputed service charge items at Flat F, 161 Redland Road, Bristol, BS6 6YE and found largely for the landlord: 0 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.

Property: Flat F, 161 Redland Road, Bristol, BS6 6YE
Decision date: 21 May 2026
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK

Managing agent named in the decision: BNS Services Ltd.

What was challenged and what the tribunal decided

ItemDemandedAllowedOutcomeGrounds
Major works (2021-2025)£774.04£774.04Allowed in full
Gardening & grounds (2021-2025)£225.83£225.83Allowed in full
Management fees (2021-2025)Allowed in full
Administration charges (2021-2025)£144£144Allowed in full
Legal & professional costs (2021-2025)conceded
Other charges (2021-2022)£1,773.27£1,773.27Allowed in full
Other charges (2022-2023)£2,075.83£2,075.83Allowed in full
Other charges (2023-2024)£2,574.76£2,574.76Allowed in full
Other charges (2024-2025)£2,577.23£2,577.23Allowed in full

Section 20C order: refused.

Key passages (verbatim)

“We are satisfied it is reasonable and rational for the Respondent to phase differing works and sadly by the time door works became necessary costs had risen. However we are satisfied all such costs are reasonable.”
On major works
“We find that taking account of the evidence of Mrs Johnson-Fuller the works were undertaken and the costs of the same are reasonable.”
On gardening & grounds
“It is clear the building has been managed and agents have undertaken their part. We are satisfied on balance of probabilities that the costs charged are reasonable.”
On management fees
“On the evidence before us and on a balance of probabilities we find that all such administration costs for pursuing payment are reasonable and payable.”
On administration charges
“We note the Respondent at R[390] agree that the solicitors fee of £156 and debt fee of £130 plus vat are not being claimed.”
On legal & professional costs
“We find that all of the service charges and administration charges levied for the service charge years 2021-2022 … are all payable and reasonable.”
On other charges
“The Tribunal could not understand why Mr Cornthwaite had not looked at or opened the attachments. Equally we could not understand why he had failed to look through the bundle provided by the Respondent, especially as the index showed the relevant documents location in the first pages.”
Of Applicant (Martin Cornthwaite)
“In this instance we would suggest that the use has failed to assist Mr Cornthwaite in focussing on appropriate issues.”
Of Applicant (Martin Cornthwaite) — AI use

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.