MAN/00BN/LSC/2025/0709 — service charge decision
In MAN/00BN/LSC/2025/0709, decided 5 May 2026, the First-tier Tribunal considered 6 disputed service charge items at 8 Malvern Grove, Manchester M20 1HT and reached a mixed result: 4 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 8 Malvern Grove, Manchester M20 1HT
Decision date: 5 May 2026
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Rawlings and Crawford Limited / Malvern Grove Management.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & maintenance (2023-24) | £1,450 | £1,450 | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2023-24) | £3,195 | £1,500 | Reduced | No Section 20 consultation |
| Other charges (2023-24) | — | £358.80 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2022-23) | — | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Fee excessive for service delivered |
| Other charges (2022-23) | — | — | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Demand formally invalid, No Section 21B summary of rights |
| Other charges (2024-25) | — | £3,070 | Reduced | Demand formally invalid, No Section 21B summary of rights |
Section 20C order: granted.
Key passages (verbatim)
“The Tribunal finds that the amount of the roof repair is payable in full.”
“for the year 1st March 2023 to 1st March 2024, the cost in relation to fitting of the new alarm system is limited to £250 for each leaseholder.”
“The expenditure for 2023 is £7,828.97 which includes for exceptional costs of the Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) report, installation of the Alarm system and roofing repairs.”
“Mr. Crawford was not certain as to how they were calculated but suggested that this would be around 20% of service charge receipts.”
“In view of the very limited information provided both in written submissions and at the hearing, using its judgement and experience, the Tribunal determines that reasonable annual service charges applicable for a property of this type is £7,368”
“April 2024 – August 2024 Based on estimated reasonable Service charges. 5 months £3,070.00”
“The Respondents have not complied with these Directions and, consequently, the Applicants were also unable to comply fully with the Directions.”
“The Tribunal finds that neither of the cost schedules provide reliable evidence and are of limited assistance to the Tribunal in determining this application. The information provided is incomplete in terms of service charge costs normally associated with a property of this type. There are no year-end accounts, the breakdown of service charges is incomplete, no budgeting and no reconciliation statements are provided. They also lack detail and are confusing in its presentation.”
“Mr. Crawford was not certain as to how they were calculated but suggested that this would be around 20% of service charge receipts.”
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.