Applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
Hearings and decisions
Decision without a hearing
The tribunal can only reach a decision once a hearing has taken place, unless everyone involved in the application and other concerned people have agreed that a decision can be made without a hearing.
A person is considered to have agreed to a decision without a hearing if the tribunal has given them at least 28 days’ notice that they intend to deal with the proceedings without a hearing, and they have not objected to this within that time.
The rules allow a shorter notice period in urgent or exceptional circumstances.
The hearing
If there is to be a hearing that will bring the case to an end, the tribunal must give everyone involved at least 14 days’ notice, unless either:
- everyone involved agrees to a shorter notice period
- there are urgent or exceptional circumstances
You must pay the pre-hearing fee within 14 days of receiving notice of the hearing date.
For all other hearings, the tribunal must provide reasonable notice of the time and place of the hearing.
Before or after the hearing, members of the tribunal panel may visit the property, with the people involved in the application, to carry out an inspection.
It is prudent to attend the hearing especially if you are not represented by a lawyer. A family member or friend can attend with you.
The hearing will usually take place at a venue local to the property in dispute. Some tribunals have their own office. Others use facilities such as local council premises or a function room in a hotel to hold hearings.
Hearings are usually held in public, but the tribunal can restrict who can attend. The hearing is relatively informal but will follow a procedure set out by the tribunal, which will be similar to that seen in courts. Members of the tribunal panel can ask questions of anyone involved in the application who is at the hearing. You do not have to be represented by a lawyer, but this can be useful in complex cases.
Consent orders
If you and the other people involved in the application reach an agreement on how your dispute can be settled, the tribunal can issue a consent order that will bring proceedings to an end without having to make a decision, if they consider this appropriate.
Decisions and enforcement
The tribunal may give their decision at the hearing. As soon as possible after making their decision, they must give everyone involved:
- a decision notice stating their decision
- written reasons for the decision
- details of any right to appeal against the decision, including how to appeal and any time restrictions that apply
Any order the tribunal makes can be enforced, with the permission of the county court, in the same way as a county court order.
- Last updated:
- 11 May 2025
- Next review:
- 18 December 2026