MAN/00BU/LSC/2024/0004 — service charge decision
In MAN/00BU/LSC/2024/0004, decided 18 September 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 14 disputed service charge items at 4, Clarendon Avenue, Altrincham WA15 8HD and reached a mixed result: 6 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 4, Clarendon Avenue, Altrincham WA15 8HD
Decision date: 18 September 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Howard Jones & Jennifer Dickie (Oakland Residential Management Limited).
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2018/19) | — | £253.20 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Section 20B 18-month time limit, No Section 21B summary of rights |
| Other charges (2019/20) | — | £268.20 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Section 20B 18-month time limit, No Section 21B summary of rights |
| Other charges (2020/21) | — | £278.09 | Reduced | Landlord could not evidence the cost, Section 20B 18-month time limit, No Section 21B summary of rights |
| Major works (2021/22) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2021/22) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2022/23) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Buildings insurance (2023/24) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2021/22) | — | £400 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Other grounds |
| Management fees (2022/23) | — | £450 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Other grounds |
| Management fees (2023/24) | — | £200 | Reduced | Fee excessive for service delivered, Other grounds |
| Repairs & maintenance (2023/24) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2023/24) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Major works (2024/25) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Reserve fund contributions | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: partial.
Key passages (verbatim)
“service charge year 2018/19: £253.20 … Payability of these amounts is subject to the application of s20B and s21 of the 1985 Act.”
“service charge year 2019/20: £268.20 … Payability of these amounts is subject to the application of s20B and s21 of the 1985 Act.”
“service charge year: 2020/21: £278.09 … Payability of these amounts is subject to the application of s20B and s21 of the 1985 Act.”
“Items 10 (A)-(C): remedial fire safety and other works to basement – service charge year 2021/22 … costs for the remedial works to the basement were reasonably incurred and reasonable in amount.”
“The Tribunal is satisfied that costs of the insurance premiums have been reasonably incurred.”
“The Tribunal is satisfied that costs of the insurance premiums have been reasonably incurred.”
“the failure to renew the insurance in respect of the Property for 5 days from 19-24 June 2021. Whilst the Tribunal notes the Managers' evidence that to date no claims have been made in respect of this period, it does not consider that the existence of the Managers' professional indemnity insurance excuses this management failure”
“the withholding of documents to which it appears the Applicants are entitled to have sight”
“the error in issuing the s20 consultation documentation/demands for the external remediation works in the wrong name which has led the Managers to conclude that a s20ZA dispensation application is required”
“the failure to carry out at least a "patch repair" to the roof to try to limit the water egress from the roof into Flat 5 at the earliest possible opportunity/as soon as they had sufficient funds to do so. The Tribunal notes that in the minutes of the leaseholders' meeting in April 2023 reference was made to a contractor having quoted costs of c£2000 for undertaking such a repair and the Managers having funds at that time of c£7500.”
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.