Applying to the tribunal

If you cannot reach agreement with your landlord about whether a service charge is reasonable, and you think you have evidence to challenge the service charge, you can make an application to a tribunal: the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal in Wales.

Your application can be about costs your landlord has already paid for work, services or other charges, or about an estimate or budget.

There’s no fixed time limit for when you can apply to the tribunal, but you should apply within a reasonable time.

You apply by submitting a form:

• in England – Application Form Leasehold 3
• in Wales – Application Form LVT 6

You’ll need to provide:

• a copy of your lease
• information about your service charge costs
• an outline of your case
• your own details and those of anyone else who is submitting the application with you
• the details of the landlord (or company) you are claiming against
• an application fee – you can apply for help with paying the fee if you’re getting certain benefits or on a low income

You should also apply for an order that stops your landlord from recovering their costs of the tribunal proceedings through the service charge or as an administration charge. This is called a Section 20C application. You can apply using the same form. The tribunal will usually grant this order if they think it is fair.

If the tribunal considers your case, they will either make a decision by looking at your application and any documents you’ve provided, or invite you to a hearing to discuss your case. You can say in your application if you think the issue can be dealt with without a hearing.

The tribunal will look into:

• whether it is reasonable for the landlord to have to pay the costs
• whether the work or services are of a reasonable standard
• whether the landlord has suitable procedures for assessing and controlling the costs and supervising the project

You and your landlord can provide evidence, and question the evidence given by the other person.

The tribunal may decide:

• whether the service charge must be paid under the lease
• who must pay the service charge and who they must pay it to
• the date on which the service charge must be paid
• how the service charge can be paid (for example, by direct debit or standing order)

Applying to the tribunal can be a difficult process. We recommend you get advice from a solicitor or surveyor.

Find out more: applying to the tribunal.