LON/00AY/LSC/2024/0164 — service charge decision
In LON/00AY/LSC/2024/0164, decided 14 November 2024, the First-tier Tribunal considered 3 disputed service charge items at 15B Bloom Grove, West Norwood, London SE27 0HZ and found largely for the leaseholder: 3 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 15B Bloom Grove, West Norwood, London SE27 0HZ
Decision date: 14 November 2024
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2009-2023) | £3,037.20 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Demand formally invalid, Section 20B 18-month time limit |
| Major works (2022) | £1,056.53 | £562.50 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Legal & professional costs (2022-23) | £138.90 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Not payable under the lease |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The outstanding sum of £3,037.20 was not validly demanded and is therefore not payable.”
“It is the Tribunal's opinion that the costs of these works are excessive and determined a reasonable sum to be £3,250 inclusive of VAT.”
“The purpose of the accountancy work is not clear from the text on the invoice nor are the relevance of the associated charges. The Respondent offered no credible supporting evidence to justify their claim that the advice was relevant to the management of the Property and the leaseholders.”
“The Tribunal has some concerns about the independence of Castles FM given they are based at premises associated with the Applicant. We were also told the contractor undertake repair and building work for the Applicant.”
“The Respondent offered no credible supporting evidence to justify their claim that the advice was relevant to the management of the Property and the leaseholders.”
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.