Oakwood House, 414-422 Hackney Road, London, E2 7SY LON/00BG/LDC/2025/0663
DECISION
The Tribunal grants this application to dispense retrospectively with the consultation requirements imposed by section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 without condition in respect of urgent fire safety works. The Application[1]By an application, dated 21 February 2025, the Applicant applies for retrospective dispensation from the statutory duty to consult in respect of urgent fire safety works. The application relates to two blocks consisting of 20 residential and 7 commercial units. The estimate cost of the works is £31,370.27. This exceeds the statutory threshold of £250 per flat.[2]On 17 February 2025, a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer advised that a Waking Watch should be provided until the fire alarm system could be upgraded. The existing system had been determined not to be sufficient to support a full simultaneous evacuation, and that it did not meet the L2 specification required. This application was issued so that the Waking Watch could be removed as quickly as possible. Quotations had been obtained and the works could commence with immediate effect. The Applicant wished to commence work on 24 February 2025.[3]The application states that the leaseholders were informed that the fire system needed to be upgraded and that a Section 20 consultation would commence. However, this was before the advice from the London Fire Service. The Applicant states that the leaseholders were told that dispensation would be sought.[4]On 14 March 2025, the Tribunal issued Directions. The Directions stated that the Tribunal would determine the application on the papers, unless any party requested an oral hearing. No party has done so.[5]By 4 April 2025, the Applicant was directed to send to the leaseholders by email, hand delivery or first-class post:(i) copies of the application form (excluding any list of respondents’ names and addresses) unless already sent by the applicant to the leaseholder/sublessee;(ii) if not already provided in the application, a brief statement to explain the reasons for the application; and(iii) the directions. The Applicant was further directed to display a copy of these in a prominent place in the common parts of the property. On 3 April, the Applicant confirmed that it had complied with this Direction.[6]By 25 April 2025, any leaseholder who opposed the application was directed to complete a Reply Form which was attached to the Directions and send it both to the Tribunal and to the Applicant. The leaseholder was further directed to send the Applicant a statement in response to the application. No leaseholder has returned a completed Reply Form opposing the application. Two tenants requested copies of the London Fire Service reports. On 8 April, the Applicant provided these.[7]The Applicant has provided a Bundle of Documents (74 pages) in support of the application. It has also provided a copy of the lease for Flat 11 Oakwood House.[8]Section 20ZA (1) of the Act provides: “Where an application is made to the appropriate tribunal for a determination to dispense with all or any of the consultation requirements in relation to any qualifying works or qualifying long term agreement, the tribunal may make the determination if satisfied that it is reasonable to dispense with the requirements.”[9]The only issue which this Tribunal has been required to determine is whether or not it is reasonable to dispense with the statutory consultation requirements. This application does not concern the issue of whether any service charge costs will be reasonable or payable.[10]The Tribunal is satisfied that it is reasonable to grant retrospective dispensation from the statutory consultation requirements. This is justified by the urgent need for the works. There is no suggestion that any prejudice has arisen. In the circumstances, it is appropriate to grant dispensation without any conditions.[11]The Directions make provision for the service of the Tribunal’s decision. The Tribunal will email a copy of its decision to the Applicant. The Applicant is responsible for serving a copy of the Tribunal’s decision on the Respondents. Judge Robert Latham 3 July 2025 Rights of appeal By rule 36(2) of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013, the tribunal is required to notify the parties about any right of appeal they may have. If a party wishes to appeal this decision to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), then a written application for permission must be made by e-mail to the First-tier Tribunal at the regional office which has been dealing with the case. The application for permission to appeal must arrive at the regional office within 28 days after the tribunal sends written reasons for the decision to the person making the application. If the application is not made within the 28 day time limit, such application must include a request for an extension of time and the reason for not complying with the 28 day time limit; the tribunal will then look at such reason(s) and decide whether to allow the application for permission to appeal to proceed, despite not being within the time limit. The application for permission to appeal must identify the decision of the tribunal to which it relates (i.e. give the date, the property and the case number), state the grounds of appeal and state the result the party making the application is seeking. If the tribunal refuses to grant permission to appeal, a further application for permission may be made to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).