How to apply

Before submitting an application to the tribunal, the leaseholder must give a preliminary notice to the landlord of their intention to apply for the appointment of a manager. The notice sets out their grounds, and gives the landlord the opportunity of remedying those problems which they are capable of remedying.

This formal notice is issued under Section 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and must contain particular items of information or it will be invalid.

There are a few circumstances where the leaseholder can apply to the FTT for an order to dispense with the requirement to serve this preliminary notice on the landlord, for example where the landlord cannot be found. Guidance can be found in our information on applying to the tribunal.

It is recommended that the notice is sent by either recorded delivery post or with a certificate of posting from the Post Office, so that the leaseholders have proof of posting which might need to be produced in evidence.

In England you need to apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), and in Wales to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. 

You apply by submitting a form: 

in England – Application Form Leasehold 2
in Wales – Application Form LVT8

Find out more about applying to the tribunal.

Get our app

Leasehold essentials

Costs and charges

Lease extension

Buying and selling

Building management

Disputes

How to apply

In this guide

Giving notice to the landlord

Applying to the tribunal

How to apply

In this guide

Giving notice to the landlord

Applying to the tribunal

Related content