LON/00AC/LSC/2021/0355 — service charge decision
In LON/00AC/LSC/2021/0355, decided 2 December 2022, the First-tier Tribunal considered 25 disputed service charge items at 23-27 Orchard Avenue, London, N3 3NL and reached a mixed result: 10 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 23-27 Orchard Avenue, London, N3 3NL
Decision date: 2 December 2022
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardening & grounds (2020) | £330 | £330 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020) | £60 | £60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2020) | £200 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2020) | £60 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2019) | £270 | £270 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2019) | £660 | £660 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2019) | £60 | £60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2019) | £200 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2018) | £357 | £357 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2018) | £60 | £60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2018) | £200 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2017) | £320 | £320 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2017) | £298.92 | £298.92 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2017) | £360 | £360 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2017) | £50 | £50 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2017) | £120 | £120 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2017) | £200 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2016) | £400 | £200 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2016) | £120 | £120 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2016) | £110 | £50 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Management fees (2016) | £200 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2015) | £400 | £300 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2015) | £400 | £200 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Utilities (2015) | £50 | £50 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2015) | £50 | £50 | Allowed in full | — |
Key passages (verbatim)
“No invoices have been provided in respect of the sums claimed as (i) a management fee; (ii) an accountancy fee; and (c) sundries. The Tribunal assesses the Applicant's total costs of managing the Building in the sum of £250.”
“Paving Repair: £660”
“£250 in respect of the Applicant's costs in managing the Building. The Tribunal allows a total of £1,240”
“£250 in respect of the Applicant's costs in managing the Building. The Tribunal allows a total of £667”
“Gutter Works: £298.92”
“Plumbing/Gardening: £360 (burst pipe in the garden)”
“The evidence provided by Mr Wood is much less satisfactory for this year. He claims a weekly sum of £10 for his gardening. It is not entirely clear whether he had done the gardening because he wanted to, or because he had been required to do so by Ms Frewin.”
“The evidence provided by Mr Wood is again far from satisfactory. The Tribunal is satisfied that he provided some cleaning and gardening services. The Directions required the Applicant to disclose all relevant invoices. No invoices have been produced.”
“Service charges have not been demanded in accordance with the terms of the lease.”
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.