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Going to court to resolve a leasehold dispute

Is the County Court the right place for your dispute?

A County Court is used to resolve civil (non-criminal) disputes.

Check whether your case is something that you can apply to a tribunal to resolve, rather than court.

As a leaseholder, you might need to go to the County Court:

  • to claim money for debt that you’re owed or losses that you’ve suffered
  • to put things right if your landlord has broken the terms of your lease, such as not doing repairs or not providing services (sometimes called breach of covenant)
  • for a decision about a leasehold issue, such as to get an order allowing you to buy the freehold of your house if your landlord is missing
  • if a party breaks the terms of a signed mediation agreement, which is a binding contract

Your landlord might go to the County Court:

  • to recover money you owe, such as unpaid service charges or ground rent
  • to apply to take back your property (forfeiture)

A County Court can also manage cases transferred from a tribunal or enforce decisions made at a tribunal.

Outcomes you can get at the County Court

A County Court judge can grant legal remedies after a trial or hearing. These include:

  • requiring the other party to pay you money (damages) to compensate you for losses
  • ordering the other party to do something or stop doing something (called an injunction) for example to stop doing something that breaches your lease
  • ordering the other party to comply with a legal obligation, such as requiring your landlord to do repairs (called an order for specific performance)
  • making a declaration, such as saying whether the lease has been breached, or what rights you have
Last updated:
21 September 2026
Next review:
21 September 2028
Using a solicitor

How solicitors can help with leasehold issues, finding one and free or low-cost legal advice

Advice guide
Applying to a tribunal

How to resolve a leasehold dispute at a tribunal, including types of case, costs and the process

Advice guide
Alternative dispute resolution

Ways of resolving a dispute without taking legal action, including mediation

Advice guide