First-tier Tribunal Grants Dispensation for Urgent Roof Repairs

OUTCOME: Allowed

Case Reference : MAN/OOCK/LDC/2020/0038

Property : 49-59 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]

Applicant: [redacted]

Respondents : [redacted]

Mr [APPELLANT]

Mr [NAME] H [NAME]

Mr [RESPONDENT]

Mr [APPELLANT] of Application : Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 – Section 20ZA

Tribunal Member : Laurence Bennett (Tribunal Judge)

Date of determination : 28 September 2020

Date of Decision : 25 September 2020

_______________________________________________

DECISION ____________________________________

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020

FIRST - TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)

2 Application

1. [APPELLANT] applies to the Tribunal under Section 20ZA of Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (the Act) for dispensation from the consultation requirements of Section 20 of the Act and the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements)(England) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1987) in respect of work to the roof, soffits and fascias at 49-59 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] ([NAME]).

2. The Respondents are [NAME] of flats at [NAME].

Grounds and Submissions

3. The application is dated 13 August 2020.

4. The Applicant is the Freeholder and Successor to the Lessor of the leases of the flats at [NAME]. The Respondents are the Lessees or Successors to the leases of the flats at [NAME].

5. On 28 August 2020 Deputy Regional Judge Bennett made directions which provided that in the absence of a request for a hearing the application would be determined upon the parties’ written submissions and evidence.

6. [NAME] is a purpose-built block comprising 6 flats. The Applicant states that the application concerns 5 x 2 bedroom dwellings.

7. The Applicant stated in the application form that the work is required because of leaks from the roof causing significant water ingress which will cause internal damage.

8. Further information provides details of the work required and quotations received.

9. The Applicant states that [NAME] were contacted on 27 January 2020 giving reasons for the work, their nature and estimated cost. A letter was sent on 6 July 2020 advising urgency and requesting any objections to nature, extent or cost be expressed within 7 days. The sole response requested work proceed.

10. The Applicant has provided copy Leases relating to the flats.

11. The Tribunal did not receive submissions from a Respondent nor a request for an oral hearing.

12. The Tribunal convened without the parties to make its determination on 25 September 2020.

Law

13. Section 18 of the Act defines “service charge” and “relevant costs”.

14. Section 19 of the Act limits the amount payable by the lessees to the extent that the charges are reasonably incurred.

15. Section 20 of the Act states:-

3 “Limitation of service charges: consultation requirements

Where this Section applies to any qualifying works…… the relevant contributions of tenants are limited……. Unless the consultation requirements have either:- a. complied with in relation to the works or b. dispensed with in relation to the works by …… a leasehold valuation tribunal. This Section applies to qualifying works, if relevant costs incurred on carrying out the works exceed an appropriate amount”.

16. “The appropriate amount” is defined by regulation 6 of The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 (the Regulations) as “……. an amount which results in the relevant contribution of any tenant being more than £250.00.”

17. Section 20ZA(1) of the Act states:- "Where an application is made to a Tribunal for a determination to dispense with all or any of the consultation requirements in relation to any qualifying works ……..….. the tribunal may make the determination if satisfied that it is reasonable to dispense with the requirements."

Tribunal’s Conclusions with Reasons

18. I considered the written evidence accompanying the application.

My conclusions are:-

19. It is not necessary for me to consider at this stage the extent of the service charges that would result from the works payable under the terms of the Respondents’ leases. If and when such is demanded and if disputed, it may properly be the subject of a future application to the Tribunal.

20. I accept from the details of the roof defects, work proposed and the obvious consequences of further water ingress that it is necessary for repairs/replacement to commence without delay. The lack of repair has potential to impact on the health, safety, utility and comfort of occupiers and visitors to the flats at [NAME].

21. Although no formal consultation has been completed nor do I have the exact information given to the Respondents, I have not identified a specific prejudice to them in the circumstances. Estimates were provided in January 2020. Dispensation from consultation requirements does not imply that the resulting service charge is reasonable.

22. I conclude it reasonable in accordance with Section 20ZA(1) of the Act to dispense with the consultation requirements, specified in Section 20 and contained in Service Charges (Consultation Requirements)(England) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1987).

23. Nothing in this determination or order shall preclude consideration of whether the Applicant may recover by way of service charge from the Respondents any or all of the cost of the work undertaken or the costs of this application should a reference be received under Section 27A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Order

4

24. The Applicant is dispensed from complying with the consultation requirements in respect of the work specified in the application.

L J Bennett Tribunal Judge 25 September 2020