LON/00AE/LSL/2024/0500 — service charge decision
In LON/00AE/LSL/2024/0500, decided 3 June 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 29 disputed service charge items at 214A Walm Lane, London NW2 3BS and reached a mixed result: 10 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 214A Walm Lane, London NW2 3BS
Decision date: 3 June 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Warmans Asset Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & maintenance (2022) | £294 | £238.80 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £1,741 | £1,636 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Repairs & maintenance (2024) | £1,674 | £1,674 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2022) | £757 | £757 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2023) | £2,703 | £2,703 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2024) | £3,059 | £3,059 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2022) | — | — | conceded | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2023) | — | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2022) | £68 | £68 | conceded | — |
| Cleaning (2023) | £943 | £943 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2024) | £970 | £943 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Utilities (2022) | £117 | £116 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Utilities (2023) | — | — | conceded | — |
| Utilities (2024) | £374 | £334.13 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Gardening & grounds (2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2024) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | — | — | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Other charges (2023) | — | — | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Other charges (2023) | £50 | £2.60 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2024) | — | — | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Management fees (2022) | £690 | £690 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023) | £690 | £690 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2024) | £690 | £690 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
Key passages (verbatim)
“The sum of £294 is claimed in respect of this service charge year but the Tribunal was informed that the invoices which were before the Tribunal add up to £238.80. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the lower figure of £238.80 is payable.”
“Ms Harris did not know why there was an invoice for car and van hire £105. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the lower sum of £1,636 is reasonable and payable.”
“Ms Harris gave evidence, which the Tribunal accepts on the balance of probabilities, that frequency of the testing is what was recommended by a fire safety expert. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the sum of £1,674 is reasonable and payable.”
“No alternative quotations have been provided to demonstrate that the cost of insurance falls outside the reasonable range. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the charges in respect of buildings insurance in the sum of are reasonable and payable.”
“after having been given the opportunity to review the managing agent's terms and conditions, he confirmed that this submission would not be pursued and that the legal and professional fees for the year 2022 are agreed.”
“Mr Patel challenged a charge in the sum of £80 on the grounds that it was unsubstantiated by any invoice. The Tribunal accepts Mr Patel's challenge and finds that the charge in the sum of £80 is not payable.”
“Ms Harris stated that she 'guessed' that additional cleaning was required because the Building was particularly dirty. However, she does not reside at the Building and she was not in a position to do anything more than speculate as to why there were four instances of cleaning in the month of February.”
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.