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Case Law

We provide summaries and analysis of important landmark legal decisions from the LVT, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and Higher Courts affecting the residential leasehold property sector. It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in this industry.
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Witham Court Management Company Ltd v Deftbrent Ltd

The LVT found that it had insufficient evidence to determine that the landlord’s quotations were unreasonable, despite the fact that it was larger than the quotes obtained by the tenants. The LVT noted that there might be many reasons why a landlord would prefer one company over another and, where, as here, the lease gave him the right nominate an insurer, this would not be challenged so long as the prices he obtained were “competitive”. Despite this, the LVT awarded the applicant £100 in costs, holding

Pearce v Norwich City Council

The Council responded by setting out its cyclical maintenance scheme – works would be done, even if not strictly necessary, in accordance with a pre-determined schedule. The Council had some 18,500 properties to service and simply could not deal with repairs on a reactive basis, but had to undertake maintenance based on schedules and presumed life cycles. The question for the LVT was whether a major works programme should be carried out when the condition of the building required such works, or whether t

Guy & others v Kinch and another

The applicant argued that landlords could not just leave insurance matters in the hands of their brokers and take no active steps to ensure that lessees got value for money and cited another LVT decision, Flat 2, 67 Station Road, Sidcup9 in support. The LVT accepted this submission. In the absence of a detailed explanation from the brokers setting out what attempts had been made to obtain a competitive market premium, the figures charged could not be allowed to stand and were reduced. Analysis This is an

Fisher v Thurloe Properties Ltd

Analysis This is a fascinating decision and, if right, might suddenly make the job of LVT appointed managers much easier. One of the enduring problems of managers is that the lease fails to give them the powers necessary to remedy any serious problems – for example, unless a lease allows for borrowing, the manager will be dependent on service charge contributions in order to carry out his functions. This decision suggests that there is an answer to this problem – the LVT shall simply confer additional po

Ferry Investments v Saunders

The respondent leaseholder had challenged a number of items. During the course of the hearing he requested an adjournment. When this was refused he threatened to leave and was only convinced to stay when he was told that he would face difficulties with an appeal. The respondent then failed to attend the adjourned hearing. The LVT indicated that it was willing to award the full £500 under Schedule 12 Paragraph 10, but invited further written submissions. Analysis Unless the respondent apologised for his a

Earl Cadogan v 27/29 Sloane Gardens Ltd

The Lands Tribunal was invited to clarify the approach to be taken when construing leases. The freeholder contended that the LVT had in this case, and, indeed, in many others, had fallen into error by running two separate legal rules into one and simply saying that service charge provisions should be interpreted ‘strictly and against landlords’. The Lands Tribunal agreed. There are two distinct rules to apply when determining the meaning of service charge provisions in a lease. The first rule is that the

Edlington Properties v JH Fenner

The lessee contended that the building was inadequate and that, by building a factory of that nature, the claimant was in breach of contract. The freehold was subsequently sold to a third party, who in turn sold it on to a fourth party. The fourth party claimed for rent due under the respondent’s tenancy. The respondent contended that it was able to set off a damages claim against the original landowner against the fourth party’s claim for rent. At trial, the Judge disagreed with this submission and the

Aelprop v Lakin

The leaseholder invited the LVT to make an order under Schedule 12 Paragraph 10 – for £500 in penal costs. The LVT granted this request. The legal proceedings taken by the freeholder had been premature and a more reasonable person would have resolved the matter by negotiation. The leaseholder had no choice but to take legal advice and, in those circumstances, the freeholder should pay the full £500. Analysis The LVT’s power to award (albeit limited) costs is rarely used. Of the many criticisms that can be

Whiteley & others v Slora Construction Company

The applicants applied for a determination under s27A of their obligation to pay service charges for various years since 1998. They alleged that the costs had been increased due to the delay and past neglect of the landlord in carrying out repairing works.
The application ultimately failed for want of evidence. The LVT had given a direction to the effect that the applicants should set out the amount by which they alleged the neglect had caused the costs to rise. They had failed to do so. The applicants had been told of the need for expert evidence, but had failed to secure any. The LVT was able to make some reductions for previous disrepair, but only on the basis of concessions made by the freeholder.
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G&O Investments v Granfield Investments

The application was accordingly made and granted. The applicant had given the tenants several opportunities to comment on the proposed works, but these invitations had not been taken up. The failure to comply with the regulations was a genuine error and the works had already been completed to a sufficient standard. Analysis Given that the LVT had invited the applicants to seek dispensation, it would have been surprising if that application had been rejected. It is also another example of the growing trend

Angel Properties v Lessees of Blocks A, B and C, the Jam Factory, 27 Green Walk

In respect of the projected costs for 2005, the lease required “the surveyor, acting as an expert and not an arbitrator” to calculate the sums which would be due. Due to a change of managing agents, there was no surveyor in place at the relevant time, and the demands were calculated by the financial controller. In relation to the costs for 2004, the LVT found for the landlord. A firm of accountants had been employed to audit the accounts, and they had stated that the accounts were a “fair summary of the c

Marriott v London & Quadrant Housing Trust

There was a dispute about whether or not the applicants had received any s20 notices. The evidence for the respondents was that the notices had been sent to all the leaseholders and, although they could not prove (a) who posted the letters containing the relevant notices or (b) that these applicants had received them, they were able to show that other leaseholders had received their notices, indeed, some of them had gone on to make representations. The LVT found as a fact that (a) the respondent had inde
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Case Law Editorial Team

Jonathan Upton
Managing Editor
Barrister, Serle Court
Justin Bates KC
Associate Editor
Barrister, Landmark Chambers

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