LON/00AH/LSC/2024/0035 — service charge decision
In LON/00AH/LSC/2024/0035, decided 28 October 2024, the First-tier Tribunal considered 34 disputed service charge items at 55C and 55D Penge Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 4EJ and reached a mixed result: 16 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 55C and 55D Penge Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 4EJ
Decision date: 28 October 2024
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Eagerstates.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal & professional costs (2022) | £5,037 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2022) | £1,373.06 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Buildings insurance (2022-2023) | £2,764.28 | £2,764.28 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2022-2023) | — | — | Withdrawn | — |
| Cleaning (2022-2023) | £371.40 | £371.40 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £528 | £528 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £300 | £150 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £672 | £672 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £408 | £408 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £144 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £690 | £100 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £216 | £216 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £300 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Works not necessary |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £477 | £477 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £900 | £100 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Poor standard of work |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £696 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)), Poor standard of work |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £144 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Utilities (2022-2023) | £162 | £162 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £360 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-2023) | £234 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Historic neglect |
| Cleaning (2022-2023) | £156 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2022-2023) | £180 | £180 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2022-2023) | £510 | £510 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022-2023) | £1,836 | £1,377 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Buildings insurance (2023-2024) | £2,902.49 | £2,902.49 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2023-2024) | £450 | £450 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023-2024) | £600 | £600 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023-2024) | £450 | £200 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2023-2024) | £750 | £750 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023-2024) | £350 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2023-2024) | £450 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Legal & professional costs (2023-2024) | £540 | £540 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023-2024) | £1,857.60 | £1,857.60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2023-2024) | £2,000 | £2,000 | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“As Mr Gayle disputes this amount is payable, and the Respondent has failed to provide any documentary evidence, nor witness evidence, to substantiate the amounts being claimed we find nil is payable in respect of the costs, fees and charges associated with the arrears.”
“Without any documents or evidence to substantiate the amount claimed, which amount Mr Gayle disputes, we determine the amount due is nil.”
“We find that the £2,764.28 Allianz building insurance premium is reasonable.”
“This challenge was withdrawn by the Applicants.”
“We find the cost of £371.40 claimed by the Respondent for window cleaning is reasonable.”
“We find the cost of £528.00 claimed by the Respondent for this testing is reasonable.”
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.