LON/00AY/LSC/2025/0694 — service charge decision
In LON/00AY/LSC/2025/0694, decided 14 September 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 9 disputed service charge items at Flats 1, 2 & 3, 173a Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JJ; Flat 1, 175a Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JJ and found largely for the landlord: 0 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flats 1, 2 & 3, 173a Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JJ; Flat 1, 175a Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JJ
Decision date: 14 September 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & maintenance (2023/2024) | £1,132.80 | £1,132.80 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023/2024) | £456 | £456 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023/2024) | £66 | £66 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023/2024) | £438.86 | £438.86 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023/2024) | £408 | £408 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023/2024) | £375 | £375 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023/2024) | £1,204.80 | £1,204.80 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2024/2025) | £1,200 | £1,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024/2025) | £450 | £450 | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: refused.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The tribunal finds the costs incurred are reasonable and payable by the applicants. The applicants accept these works are necessary.”
“The tribunal finds these costs are reasonable and payable under the terms of the leases. The tribunal accepts it was necessary and reasonable for the contractor to re-attend the subject property in order to complete the inspection.”
“The tribunal finds this service charge falls under the landlord's wide discretion afforded by clause 6(5) of the lease. The tribunal considers the sum incurred is minimal and reasonable in view of the health and safety aspect.”
“The tribunal finds this sum is reasonable and payable by the applicants. The tribunal does not accept the applicants' assertions that this work was unnecessary as the lease allows the landlord a wide discretion in deciding upon what safety measures to implement.”
“The tribunal finds this sum is reasonable and payable under the terms of the leases.”
“The tribunal finds this sum is reasonable and payable by the applicants under the terms of the leases. The tribunal accepts the respondent's submissions that there is a continuing duty to ensure compliance with safety legislation.”
“In writing up the decision I changed my view on this item. Do you agree – I am quite happy to change. I'd still be inclined to go with our original decision on the basis that the area gritted is outside of the landlord's ownership. However, it is a very small cost and photographic proof was provided so I don't feel strongly either way. Happy to go with your amendment therefore.”
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.