MAN/00EY/LSC/2022/0109 — service charge decision
In MAN/00EY/LSC/2022/0109, decided 20 February 2024, the First-tier Tribunal considered 6 disputed service charge items at Flat P, The Chimes, 1a, Forest Gate, Blackpool and reached a mixed result: 3 items were reduced or disallowed. Full decision on GOV.UK below.
Property: Flat P, The Chimes, 1a, Forest Gate, Blackpool
Decision date: 20 February 2024
Full decision: Read on GOV.UK
Managing agent named in the decision: Mr Michael White.
What was challenged and what the tribunal decided
| Item | Demanded | Allowed | Outcome | Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other charges (2018-19) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2019-20) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2020-21) | — | — | Allowed in full | — |
| Other charges (2021-2022 (18-month)) | £1,070 | — | Disallowed entirely | Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Other charges (2023) | — | — | Reduced | Not payable under the lease, Landlord could not evidence the cost |
| Legal & professional costs (2022) | £6,866.60 | — | Disallowed entirely | Not payable under the lease |
Key passages (verbatim)
“the Tribunal is satisfied that the amounts charged, (variously in respect of each of the years for light and heat, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, premises insurance, accountancy fees, bank charges and sundry expenses), are reasonable”
“the Tribunal is satisfied that the amounts charged, (variously in respect of each of the years for light and heat, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, premises insurance, accountancy fees, bank charges and sundry expenses), are reasonable”
“the Tribunal is satisfied that the amounts charged, (variously in respect of each of the years for light and heat, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, premises insurance, accountancy fees, bank charges and sundry expenses), are reasonable”
“In the absence of any information regarding the service charge items and/or the amounts charged in respect thereof for the period in question, the Tribunal is unable to make any determination under section 27A of the 1985 Act.”
“In the absence of evidence, the Tribunal is not satisfied that interest on a 'bounce back' loan is to be regarded as a service charge cost chargeable in accordance with the terms of the Lease”
“The Tribunal therefore determines that the Applicant is not entitled to recover its legal costs under clause 3(7) of the Lease.”
“the Tribunal is surprised by the Applicant's failure to provide any budget or draft accounts for the relevant period or that, having regard to the date of this determination, that the service charge accounts have not been finalised.”
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.