MAN/00BN/LSC/2023/0020 — service charge decision

“The total cost of these entries per leaseholder was £3.76 in the year.”

“Payments to contractors for work usually done by the caretaker are explained by the caretaker's illness during the year.”

“She explained that the repair work done by PT Building Development Ltd which was not adequately described in their invoices, related to making good around the architraves of 246 fire doors which had been repaired or replaced during 2021.”

“The accrual as a provision for electricity costs since 2016 is permitted by the lease.”

“Zenith's management fee, at approximately £125 plus VAT per apartment per year is by no means unreasonable for the level of service provided.”

“Other aspects of management, such as health and safety checks and weekly estate manager visits to the site, have been properly charged for as separate services.”

“None of this additional information was supplied by the Respondent prior to the hearing, and none of it was suggested in the letter to leaseholders which accompanied the 2021 service charge account.”

“The Tribunal has accepted Ms Black's additional evidence, although given the involvement of solicitors and counsel on behalf of the Respondent it is surprising that such relevant information was not previously made available to the Applicants.”

“The invoices supplied to the Applicants, even when supplemented by copies of Zenith's spreadsheets, were insufficient fully to explain what the Applicants were being asked to pay for. Additional information supplied at the hearing should have been included, at the latest, in Ms Black's witness statement.”