LON/00AJ/LSC/2024/0679 — service charge decision
In LON/00AJ/LSC/2024/0679, decided 17 May 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 42 disputed service charge items at Thorpe Hall Mansions, Eaton Rise, W5 2HB and reached a mixed result: 14 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Thorpe Hall Mansions, Eaton Rise, W5 2HB
Decision date: 17 May 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Colin Bibra.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning (2017-18) | £14,567 | £14,567 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2017-18) | £3,096 | £3,096 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2017-18) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2018-19) | £14,147 | £14,147 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2018-19) | £375 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2018-19) | £3,180 | £3,180 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2018-19) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2019-20) | £11,145 | £11,145 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2019-20) | £853 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2019-20) | £4,095 | £4,095 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2019-20) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2020-21) | £12,118 | £12,118 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020-21) | £3,600 | £3,600 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2020-21) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2021-22) | £14,387 | £14,387 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £3,370 | £3,370 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021-22) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2022-23) | £7,590 | £7,590 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2022-23) | £4,912 | £4,912 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-23) | £3,300 | £3,300 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022-23) | £4,012 | £4,012 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022-23) | £7,500 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Management fees (2022-23) | £7,500 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022-23) | £8,405 | £250 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Gardening & grounds (2023-24) | £7,200 | £7,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2023-24) | £500 | £500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023-24) | £3,600 | £3,600 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023-24) | £15,000 | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023-24) | £5,000 | £5,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2023-24) | £2,000 | £2,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2024-25) | £800 | £800 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2024-25) | £1,200 | £1,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2024-25) | £1,000 | £1,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2024-25) | £1,000 | £1,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2024-25) | £8,000 | £8,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024-25) | £3,000 | £3,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024-25) | £1,770 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Legal & professional costs (2024-25) | £5,000 | £5,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024-25) | £3,600 | £3,600 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2024-25) | £5,000 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Management fees (2024-25) | £5,000 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions (2024-25) | £4,500 | £1,500 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“Tribunal confirms the charges of £14,567 are reasonable on the basis of a lack of evidence that the sums charged are unreasonable.”
“The Tribunal confirms the charges of £3,096.00 as reasonable and payable under the lease.”
“Administration charges are limited to 3% of the service charges plus the managing agents fees and the accounts. The Respondent must therefore calculate 3% of the service charges charged for the year 2018 and add the management fees to this.”
“Tribunal confirms the charges of £14,147.00 are reasonable on the basis of a lack of evidence that the sums charged are unreasonable.”
“The Tribunal determines that £0 is payable under this heading as no invoices have been provided.”
“The Tribunal confirms the charges of £3,180.00 as reasonable and payable under 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.