LON/00BB/LSC/2025/1222 — service charge decision
In LON/00BB/LSC/2025/1222, decided 10 July 2026, the First-tier Tribunal considered 39 disputed service charge items at Flat 3, 311 Barking Road, Plaistow, London, E13 8EE and reached a mixed result: 3 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flat 3, 311 Barking Road, Plaistow, London, E13 8EE
Decision date: 10 July 2026
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Westcolt Surveyors.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2018) | £1,251.60 | — | Disallowed entirely | Leaseholder evidence insufficient |
| Other charges (2019) | £2,184 | — | Disallowed entirely | Leaseholder evidence insufficient |
| Management fees (2021) | £1,500 | £1,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021) | £2,200 | £2,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2021) | £63,885 | £63,885 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021) | £6,388.50 | £6,388.50 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021) | £1,152.60 | £1,152.60 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021) | £400 | £400 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022) | £1,500 | £1,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2022) | £2,200 | £2,200 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2022) | £14,133 | £14,133 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022) | £2,973.66 | £2,973.66 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022) | £150 | £150 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £288 | £288 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2022) | £256.32 | £256.32 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2022) | £400 | £400 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2023) | £1,500 | £1,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2023) | £2,875 | £2,875 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2023) | £545 | £545 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £450 | £450 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £555 | £555 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023) | £594 | £594 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023) | £400 | £400 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2024) | £1,500 | £1,500 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2024) | £2,975 | £2,975 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2024) | £890 | £890 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2024) | £850 | £850 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2025) | £1,650 | £1,650 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2025) | £2,650 | £2,650 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £1,250 | £1,250 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2025) | £4,140 | £4,140 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2025) | £540 | £540 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £765 | £765 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £2,000 | £2,000 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £312 | £312 | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2025) | £300 | £300 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2025) | £660 | £660 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2025) | £400 | £400 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2021-2025) | £9,130.10 | £4,500 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)) |
Key passages (verbatim)
“In the absence of any evidence as to what the demands for the years 2018 and 2019 relate to, the Tribunal dismisses the application in regard to the service charge years ending 31 December 2018 and 2019.”
“In the absence of any evidence as to what the demands for the years 2018 and 2019 relate to, the Tribunal dismisses the application in regard to the service charge years ending 31 December 2018 and 2019.”
“In the absence of specific challenges to the actual service charge for the year ending 31 December 2021 including the major works, the Tribunal does not require the Respondent to justify the specific amounts spent.”
“Building Insurance £2200.00”
“Major works contribution (80% completed) £63,885.00”
“Project Management (80% completed) £6388.50”
“The Tribunal is concerned that the list of "renovation works" includes "contingency". Contingency is not something that can be observed. The Tribunal places little weight on the witness statement.”
“The Tribunal places no weight on Ms Akon's general unsupported opinion about the contractors being "cowboy builders".”
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.