LON/00BJ/LSC/2022/0383 — service charge decision
In LON/00BJ/LSC/2022/0383, decided 28 May 2024, the First-tier Tribunal considered 20 disputed service charge items at Various flats at 21 Plough Road, London, SW11 2DE and reached a mixed result: 6 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Various flats at 21 Plough Road, London, SW11 2DE
Decision date: 28 May 2024
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Town and City Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £10,892 | £10,892 | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021-22) | £26,055 | £26,055 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £30,759 | £30,759 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £1,108 | £1,108 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021-22) | £18,715 | £18,715 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2021-22) | £12,200 | £9,729.75 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Other grounds |
| Utilities (2021-22) | £12,551 | £6,300 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Other grounds |
| Cleaning (2021-22) | £1,344 | £1,344 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £6,056 | £6,056 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £5,593 | £5,593 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £6,479 | £6,479 | Allowed in full | — |
| Repairs & maintenance (2021-22) | £37,479 | £15,479 | Reduced | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Other grounds |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £4,650 | £4,152 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Other grounds |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £1,489 | £1,489 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £562 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Other grounds |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £1,092 | £1,092 | Allowed in full | — |
| Staffing & concierge (2021-22) | £42,228 | £42,228 | Allowed in full | — |
| Administration charges (2021-22) | £2,861 | £2,861 | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021-22) | £334 | £334 | Allowed in full | — |
| Staffing & concierge (2021-22) | £2,160 | £0 | Disallowed entirely | Costs unreasonably incurred (s19(1)(a)), Other grounds |
Section 20C order: refused.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The Tribunal therefore determined that £10,892.00 was payable and reasonable.”
“The Tribunal therefore found £26,055 payable and reasonable.”
“the Applicants did not challenge any specific invoice and therefore the Tribunal found the amount claimed payable and reasonable.”
“the charge made was therefore reasonable.”
“the Tribunal found that £18,715 was payable and reasonable.”
“The Tribunal has therefore allowed: Accountancy Fee £3,133; Professional Fee £4,100; Office Expense £1,500 + £76.75; Legal Costs £920. Total £9,729.75.”
“This position appeared to be at odds with the evidence given to the Tribunal at the hearing that the £22,000 was actually paid by way of a loan. It was therefore not clear whether or not this loan would be repaid and whether this would be payable by the tenants.”
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.