There are two cases in this month’s service charge and estate management update:
Units of accommodation designed for students were ‘dwellings’ but not ‘separate dwellings’. Accordingly, the FTT did not have jurisdiction to determine the amount of service charges payable by the units’ leaseholders under ss.18 to 30 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Adrian Carr of Tanfield Chambers acted for the successful respondent.
A management agreement that could be terminated at the end of twelve months was for “more than twelve months” and, therefore a long-term qualifying agreement for the purposes of s.20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Nicola Muir of Tanfield Chambers acted for the respondent.
Marc Glover has been instructed as Prince Hussam's lead counsel in the dispute since 2023, having taken over from John Wardell KC (Wilberforce). Peter Arden KC (Erskine Chambers) and Geraint Jones KC (3 Paper Buildings), were engaged with Marc in the Petition hearing, along with Tanfield’s Hugh Rowan. Marc and Hugh were assisted Sami Allan, Pupil Barrister at Tanfield Chambers. Stephen Moverly-Smith KC (XXIV) and Adam Baradon KC (Blackstone) acted on behalf of MTC.
After years of talk on meaningful reform, will 2025 be the year that things begin to change?
