LON/00AU/LSC/2023/0456 — service charge decision
In LON/00AU/LSC/2023/0456, decided 30 July 2024, the First-tier Tribunal considered 34 disputed service charge items at 106 Tollington Way, London N7 6RY and reached a mixed result: 22 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 106 Tollington Way, London N7 6RY
Decision date: 30 July 2024
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning (2021/2022) | £753 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work |
| Cleaning (2022/2023) | £926.40 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Cleaning (2021/2022) | £260.40 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work |
| Cleaning (2022/2023) | £393 | — | Reduced | Poor standard of work |
| Cleaning (2021/2022) | £1,123.20 | £489.60 | Reduced | Poor standard of work, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £750 | £500 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £1,416 | £1,416 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £624 | £312 | Reduced | Poor standard of work |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £450 | £225 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £4,200 | £3,500 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Estoppel or prior agreement |
| Management fees (2021/2022) | £756 | £525 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £332.94 | £332.94 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £1,062 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | £156 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2021/2022) | £186.60 | £186.60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022/2023) | £48 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2022/2023) | £288 | £144 | Reduced | Duplication of charges |
| Other charges (2022/2023) | £90 | £90 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £950 | £100 | Reduced | Works not necessary, Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £12,885.58 | £12,885.58 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2022/2023) | £963.46 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021/2022) | £438 | £100 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £500 | £500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022/2023) | £624 | £312 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £906.36 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Leaseholder evidence insufficient |
| Legal & professional costs (2022/2023) | £2,121.71 | £2,121.71 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £152.07 | — | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022/2023) | £802.80 | — | Disallowed entirely | Leaseholder evidence insufficient |
| Buildings insurance (2021/2022) | £3,040.83 | £3,040.83 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2022/2023) | £4,135.94 | £4,135.94 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021/2022) | £1,614 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Management fees (2022/2023) | £1,638 | — | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Legal & professional costs (2021/2022) | £630 | £630 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2022/2023) | £600 | £600 | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The tribunal accepts the applicants' oral and written evidence in respect of the standard of the service provided. The tribunal reduces the costs of the cleaning for 2021/22 and 2022/23 by 20% for each year.”
“Invoices disclosed for 22/23 total £792 not £926.40 ... The tribunal reduces the costs of the cleaning for 2021/22 and 2022/23 by 20% for each year.”
“the tribunal allows only 50% of the sums claimed for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.”
“the tribunal allows only 50% of the sums claimed for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.”
“The tribunal determines the total cost for this item in 2021/2022 is £979.20 and determines this sum should be reduced by 50%.”
“The tribunal finds that work was carried out although it accepts the extent of the work is unclear ... The tribunal allows the sum of £500 for this item.”
“The tribunal finds the level of service provided from the managing agent is of poor quality and allows the sum of £200 plus VAT per flat per for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.”
“Given the Respondent's failure to provide any explanation as to whether or not it had complied with the Directions, I am satisfied that it would be in the interest of justice that the Respondent is barred from adducing or relying upon a statement of case or witness statement or any additional document, and the Respondent is so barred.”
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.