MAN/00CH/LSC/2023/0092 — service charge decision
In MAN/00CH/LSC/2023/0092, decided 15 January 2025, the First-tier Tribunal considered 3 disputed service charge items at 17 Goldstone, Pimlico Court, Low Fell, Gateshead and found largely for the landlord: 0 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: 17 Goldstone, Pimlico Court, Low Fell, Gateshead
Decision date: 15 January 2025
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: J H Watson Property Management Ltd.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major works (2017-18) | £49,170 | £49,170 | Allowed in full | — |
| Legal & professional costs (2017-18) | £5,658.30 | £5,658.30 | Allowed in full | — |
| Management fees (2017-18) | £2,485 | — | Allowed in full | — |
Section 20C order: refused.
Key passages (verbatim)
“the roofing costs and related professional fees are payable by Mrs Lyon and the other leaseholders as indicated in the Respondent's service charge account.”
“The project management costs were properly calculated on a sliding percentage scale and were reasonable overall. These costs were charged under the terms of Watson's contract with the Respondent.”
“the Tribunal has not been asked to make, and does not make, any determination in relation to management fees other than the 2018 roofing project costs.”
“It is unfortunate that Watson did not respond promptly and in full but instead had continued to pursue Mrs Lyon for payment of the service charges she was questioning.”
“It seems that it was not until 28 May 2024 that Mr Spencer provided Mrs Lyon (and the Tribunal) with a written explanation of the Respondent's position along the lines of his responses set out at paragraph 11 above.”
“On 21 November 2017 Watson wrote to each leaseholder as required by Regulation 13 but incorrectly stated that no written observations had been received in relation to the paragraph (b) statement dated 25 September 2017.”
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.