LON/00AM/LSC/2022/0218 — service charge decision
In LON/00AM/LSC/2022/0218, decided 19 December 2022, the First-tier Tribunal considered 18 disputed service charge items at 19 Bicknor House, Pembury Road, London E5 8LQ and reached a mixed result: 8 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 19 Bicknor House, Pembury Road, London E5 8LQ
Decision date: 19 December 2022
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2017/2018) | — | £13.39 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Gardening & grounds (2018/2019) | — | — | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2018/2019) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2018/2019) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2019/2020) | — | £21.50 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Buildings insurance (2019/2020) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2019/2020) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2020/2021) | — | £25.74 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Gardening & grounds (2021/2022) | — | £30.80 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | — | £16.07 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2022/2023) | — | £50 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2022/2023) | — | £18.75 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Buildings insurance (2022/2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“it is unreasonable for an electrical contractor to carry out this activity on a monthly basis and finds an annual check by an electrical contractor on an annual basis only is reasonable at a total cost of £250 of which the Applicant's share is £13.39.”
“the tribunal finds the total charge of £4,562 per fortnight to which the Applicant is required to contribute is excessive”
“The tribunal finds these costs are reasonable and payable by the Applicant.”
“The tribunal finds these costs are reasonable and payable by the Applicant.”
“the tribunal finds the total charge of £4,562 per fortnight to which the Applicant is required to contribute is excessive. The tribunal finds the work carried out is routine is not extensive and therefore, the charge is on the high side and unreasonable. The tribunal finds that the Applicant's reasonable costs for this service is £21.50.”
“the tribunal finds the estimated insurance cost for 2022/2023 is reasonable and payable by the Applicant”
“such a large increase although possible, is unlikely.”
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.