Applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
Application and hearing fees
The application fee
There is a fixed fee of £114 for most applications to the tribunal.
There are arrangements in place for the fee not to be charged in some circumstances, for example if you are receiving certain benefits.
If the court transfers proceedings to the tribunal, the application fee will be the fee that you would have paid to the tribunal (£114), less the total amount of any court fees you have already paid. If the fee you have already paid to the court is equal to or more than the fee due to the tribunal, you will not have to pay the tribunal’s fee.
The hearing fee
If you have paid the application fee and the tribunal decide to hold a hearing on the matter, you will have to pay a fixed hearing fee of £227 when you receive notice of the hearing date.
If you do not pay the hearing fee, the tribunal will write to you to tell you they have not received the fee. If you still do not pay within 14 days after the date of the tribunal’s letter, the case will be withdrawn.
If the tribunal makes a decision without a full hearing, you will still have to pay the application fee, but you will not have to pay a hearing fee.
The hearing will not take place until you have paid the application fee and the hearing fee.
Full details of the fees are set out in the Civil Proceedings, First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and Employment Tribunal Fees (Amendment) Order 2016.
Waiving and reducing fees
You may not have to pay a fee or you may be eligible for a reduced fee if you have a low income or receive certain benefits.
You can find out if you’re eligible and apply for help with fees from GOV.UK:
Order for your landlord to repay your fees
In certain circumstances, the tribunal may order your landlord to repay all or part of your application or hearing fees (or both). During or after the hearing, you can ask the tribunal for an order, but this is entirely the tribunal’s decision.
Sharing costs with other leaseholders
It’s possible to make a joint application and split any costs among yourselves. For example leaseholders within a building could make a joint application to challenge the service charges and agree between them to split the costs.
- Last updated:
- 11 May 2025
- Next review:
- 18 December 2026