LON/00AG/LSC/2024/0627 — service charge decision
In LON/00AG/LSC/2024/0627, decided 7 May 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 19 disputed service charge items at 17 Priory Terrace, Kilburn, London NW6 4DG and reached a mixed result: 12 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 17 Priory Terrace, Kilburn, London NW6 4DG
Decision date: 7 May 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Eagerstates Limited.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2020) | £1,760.84 | £1,760.84 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021) | £3,907.62 | £2,200 | Reduced | Insurance not market tested, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Buildings insurance (2022) | £3,907 | £2,200 | Reduced | Insurance not market tested, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Cleaning (2021) | £312 | £144 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021) | £198 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Legal & professional costs (2021) | £510 | £510 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2022) | £4,956 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | No Section 20 consultation, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2022) | £498 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2022) | £588.24 | £129.60 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Administration charges (2022) | £1,290 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Major works (2022) | £1,800 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Legal & professional costs (2022) | £540 | £540 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2023) | £99.36 | £10.80 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Legal & professional costs (2023) | £540 | £540 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £144 | £144 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £630 | £630 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £480 | £480 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023) | £630 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Management fees (2023) | £1,224 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“This charge is comparable to that made by the RTM albeit for a slightly different risk coverage.”
“The Tribunal based upon their knowledge and experience determined a reasonable sum payable as £2,200 incl of taxes.”
“The Tribunal based upon their knowledge and experience determined a reasonable sum payable as £2,200 incl of taxes.”
“Legitimate that landlord has control of say 1 brown garden waste bin at £10 per month £120 +vat = total cost £144”
“Unable to identify with any certainty the location of the Astro turf. Amount disallowed.”
“Reasonable charges for service given. Determination based upon experience and knowledge.”
“No evidence put before Tribunal proved a market comparison exercise had been undertaken by the Respondent and/or its insurance brokers, nor what the typical policy cost may be for this type and age of building.”
“The Respondents Counsel made no effort to offer further evidence to validate and justify the expenditure.”
“It is incumbent upon the Landlord to make a Prima Facie case for the service charge. In this instance this was not done.”
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.