LON/00AZ/LSC/2025/0633 — service charge decision
In LON/00AZ/LSC/2025/0633, decided 4 September 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 29 disputed service charge items at First Floor Flat 9, Honor Oak Park, London, SE23 1DX and found largely for the leaseholder: 20 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: First Floor Flat 9, Honor Oak Park, London, SE23 1DX
Decision date: 4 September 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2024) | £900.58 | £575 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Buildings insurance (2025) | £945.61 | £600 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Utilities (2024) | £121.97 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Utilities (2025) | £125 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2024) | £108.60 | £36.20 | Reduced | Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Other charges (2025) | £250 | £83 | Reduced | Standard not reasonable (s19(1)(b)) |
| Other charges (2024) | £174 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary |
| Other charges (2025) | £200 | £200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £204 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary |
| Other charges (2025) | £212.50 | £212.50 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £60 | £60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Cleaning (2024) | — | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Cleaning (2025) | — | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
| Gardening & grounds (2024) | £159 | £80 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Gardening & grounds (2025) | £175 | £88 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2024) | £211.20 | £211.20 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £149.40 | £149.40 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £99 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Duplication of charges |
| Other charges (2024) | £216 | £216 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2025) | £240 | £240 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2024) | £303.60 | £100 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Management fees (2025) | £312 | £100 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Other charges (2024) | £51 | £51 | Allowed in full | — |
| Gardening & grounds (2024) | £204 | £102 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Other charges (2024) | £8.28 | £8.28 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £125 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary |
| Cleaning (2025) | £100 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Works not necessary |
| Cleaning (2025) | £150 | £100 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
| Reserve fund contributions (2025) | £1,250 | £500 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The previous Tribunal had found that £575 was a reasonable sum. The comparators are reasonable. We allow a premium of £575 for 2024.”
“We allow a premium of £575 for 2024 and £600 for the estimated amount in 2025.”
“The leaseholders should enjoy the benefit of the credit until it has expired. Accordingly, we determine that no sums are due for communal electricity for either year in question.”
“The leaseholders should enjoy the benefit of the credit until it has expired. Accordingly, we determine that no sums are due for communal electricity for either year in question.”
“monthly tests are excessive and allow 1/3 of the amount claimed to reflect quarterly inspections which should be adequate. We allow £36.20 in 2024.”
“monthly tests are excessive and allow 1/3 of the amount claimed to reflect quarterly inspections which should be adequate. We allow £36.20 in 2024 and £83 in 2025.”
“We were disappointed to be informed that the Respondent has failed to adhere to that determination and the Applicant has had to proceed against the Respondent in the County Court.”
“Significantly the previous determination by the Tribunal has not been accommodated and has effectively been ignored.”
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.