LON/00AC/LSC/2020/0215 — service charge decision
In LON/00AC/LSC/2020/0215, decided 14 February 2023, the First-tier Tribunal considered 6 disputed service charge items at Flat 3, 3 Alexandra Grove, Finchley, London N12 8NU and reached a mixed result: 3 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flat 3, 3 Alexandra Grove, Finchley, London N12 8NU
Decision date: 14 February 2023
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Mr A. Ali (respondents' son).
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2018) | — | — | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2019) | £2,484 | £250 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Buildings insurance (2015-2020) | — | — | Reduced | Apportionment error |
| Gardening & grounds (2019) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2015-2018) | — | — | conceded | — |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“With regard to the 2018 fire alarm and maintenance charges the tribunal noted on the invoices an amendment in handwriting expressed be an increase of £150 in two instances. The tribunal could find no justification for this and therefore disallowed the total of £300 giving a reduction in the liability of the applicant for this service charge of £42.86.”
“with regard to the alarm maintenance, where the charge for the year was £2484 the Tribunal was satisfied that a section 20 notice pursuant to the terms of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 should have been issued and had not been. Therefore, the charge in this regard was limited to £250.”
“the respondent giving a credit for the applicant of one 7th of this sum being £361.90. The tribunal was of the view that this was an appropriate and proportionate adjustment and that the total insurance premiums payable by the applicant should indeed be reduced by £361.90.”
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.