LON/00BJ/LSC/2021/0319 — service charge decision
In LON/00BJ/LSC/2021/0319, decided 7 August 2022, the First-tier Tribunal considered 8 disputed service charge items at Flat 31 Parkside St Peters, 21 Plough Lane, London, SW11 2DE and reached a mixed result: 2 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flat 31 Parkside St Peters, 21 Plough Lane, London, SW11 2DE
Decision date: 7 August 2022
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings insurance (2020-21) | £18,076 | — | Reduced | Undisclosed insurance commission |
| Repairs & maintenance (2020-21) | £4,829 | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2020-21) | £7,809 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020-21) | £3,248 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020-21) | £26,258 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2020-21) | £4,403 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Utilities (2020-21) | £969 | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Staffing & concierge (2020-21) | £49,650 | — | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: refused.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The Tribunal therefore finds that the amount claimed for insurance of £18,076, less the commissions (see above), was reasonably incurred. The commissions are disallowed because Ms Cunningham's evidence was that no other services were provided for the income received.”
“The Tribunal disallows part of an invoice from Harris Associates surveyors because the description is inadequate to support a fee of £1,776 for 8 hours on site dealing with 'Flat 45 balcony glass'. The Tribunal allows 2 hours or £370 plus VAT.”
“The cost of waking watches was incurred. The Tribunal noted that the expenditure is supported by invoices and finds that this reasonably incurred.”
“The Tribunal finds that the costs are supported by invoices, fall within the lease, and are reasonably incurred.”
“The costs fall within the terms of the lease and are supported by invoices. The Tribunal finds that the costs were reasonably incurred.”
“The Tribunal finds that these costs are supported by invoices, fall within the lease, and are reasonably incurred.”
“The Tribunal rejects the invoice from "Just Does" as it contains no information as to the service provided.”
“The Tribunal disallows part of an invoice from Harris Associates surveyors because the description is inadequate to support a fee of £1,776 for 8 hours on site dealing with "Flat 45 balcony glass".”
“the Tribunal does not accept her evidence that responsibility for management can be delegated to the managing agents. It is the Management Company, PRML that is party to the lease, not the managing agents.”
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.