19 Limitation of service charges: reasonableness. E+W
(1)Relevant costs shall be taken into account in determining the amount of a service charge payable for a period—
(a)only to the extent that they are reasonably incurred, and
(b)where they are incurred on the provision of services or the carrying out of works, only if the services or works are of a reasonable standard;
and the amount payable shall be limited accordingly.
(2)Where a service charge is payable before the relevant costs are incurred, no greater amount than is reasonable is so payable, and after the relevant costs have been incurred any necessary adjustment shall be made by repayment, reduction or subsequent charges or otherwise.
(2A)F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2B)F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2C)F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F2(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F3(5)If a person takes any proceedings in the High Court in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act relating to service charges and he could have taken those proceedings in the county court, he shall not be entitled to recover any costs.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 19(2A)-(3) repealed (30.9.2003 for E. and 30.3.2004 for W.) by 2002 c. 15, ss. 180, 181(1), Sch. 14; S.I. 2003/1986, arts. 1(2), 2(c)(iv), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (subject to Sch. 2); S.I. 2004/669, art. 2(c)(iv), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (subject to Sch. 2)
F2S. 19(4) repealed (1.9.1997) by 1996 c. 52, s. 227, Sch. 19 Pt. III; S.I. 1997/1851, art. 2 (with Sch. para. 1)
F3S. 19(5) added by Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (c. 31, SIF 75:1), s. 41, Sch. 2 para. 2(b), but is repealed (prosp.) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), ss. 124(3), 125(7), Sch. 20
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 19 amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 57(7), Sch. 13 para. 24 (as substituted by Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 61) and Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 79(12)
C2Ss. 18-30 modified (30.9.2003 for E. and 30.3.2004 for W.) by 2002 c. 15, ss. 102, 181(1), Sch. 7 para. 4; S.I. 2003/1986, art. 2(a); S.I. 2004/669, art. 2(a)
Ss. 18-30B extended (30.9.2003 and 28.2.2005 for E. for certain purposes otherwise prosp. and 30.3.2004 and 31.5.2005 for W. for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by 2002 c. 15, ss. 172, 181(1); S.I. 2003/1986, art. 2(c)(ii) (subject to Sch. 2); S.I. 2004/669, art. 2(c)(ii) (subject to Sch. 2); S.I. 2004/3056, art. 3(h) (subject to art. 4 (as amended by S.I. 2005/193, art. 2)); S.I. 2005/1353, art. 2(h) (subject to art. 3)
C3Ss. 18-30 modified (1.4.1995) by S.I. 1995/401, art. 18, Sch. para. 10(b)
Ss. 18-30 extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2)(b), Sch. 13 para. 23(b) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))
C4S. 19(1)(2) excluded by S.I. 1988/1283, art. 2, Sch. para. 2(a)
C5S. 19(5) excluded by S.I. 1988/1283, art. 2, Sch. para. 5