LON/00BE/LSC/2024/0623 — service charge decision
In LON/00BE/LSC/2024/0623, decided 23 April 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 2 disputed service charge items at Pitman Building, Arabella Street, London, SE16 4EN and Abbey Street, London, SE16 4EH and found largely for the leaseholder: 2 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Pitman Building, Arabella Street, London, SE16 4EN and Abbey Street, London, SE16 4EH
Decision date: 23 April 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major works (2024) | £95,386.42 | £250 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Management fees (2024) | £14,307.96 | £9,539 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation, Fee excessive for service delivered |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“the Tribunal determines that the Respondent has not complied with the statutory consultation required under section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and therefore the Applicants' contribution to the works is limited to £250.”
“the amount of £9,539 for the cost of the Respondent's management fee is reasonable and payable if dispensation from the consultation requirements is granted. This amount has been reduced from £14,307.96 for the reasons set out in this decision.”
“the consultation process was confusing and inconsistent and ultimately led to the finding of this Tribunal that it has not been completed in accordance with the Consultation Regulations.”
“Your estimated cost, including management fee is #VALUE!”
“the Tribunal does not accept that the Respondent can retrospectively and arbitrarily state that the Notice sent on 8 November 2023 was valid because it covered the cost of the Works for flats 36 to 72.”
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.