Have received a claim at lightening speed!

[teak]

The managing agent at the property where I live has issued a claim for service charges he alleges I owe, which I received today. The sum was initially £12,000.00. The claim now has now increased to £18,000.00? I replied to the solicitors Letter Before Claim yesterday, even though they issued the Letter Before Claim on 11 May 2023 which I received on the 17 May 2023 due to it being posted during the week of the recent bank holiday. The letter I sent yesterday was to inform them that their Pre Protocol process did not include a Reply Form so I said that it therefore breaches Pre Protocol Guidelines which I understand is important to follow; only because someone who is a member of LBs sent me what a Pre Protocol letter should include. I've requested so much information from the managing agent because I believe he is in cahoots with other leaseholders at the property I live who are also managing agents. I also believe there is a vast Conflict of Interest besides the property being mismanaged. Not sure what to do because the threads I've been looking at are to do with the Consumer Credit Act and I think this case doesn't fall under that. I think I need help as I really feel up the creek without a boat, let alone a paddle.