First-tier Tribunal Support
The tribunal is designed to be used without a solicitor. That does not make it informal, and it does not make preparation optional.
What the Tribunal Decides
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is the venue for most residential leasehold disputes in England. It determines whether a service charge is reasonable and payable under section 27A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, grants or refuses dispensation from Section 20 consultation under section 20ZA, determines breaches of covenant under section 168 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, appoints managers under section 24 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, and varies defective leases under section 35 of the same Act.
It is deliberately accessible: there is no general rule that the loser pays the winner's costs, and it is designed to be used by parties without legal representation.
What We Do and Where We Stop
We can advise on leasehold law as it applies to a development we manage, prepare the evidence a tribunal application needs, and assist with applications and representations. Where a matter requires a practising solicitor, we say so and refer it to specialist legal advisers rather than pretending otherwise.
Most of the value is upstream of the hearing. A well-kept service charge account, a properly run consultation and a documented decision trail are what make a case defensible, and they cannot be assembled retrospectively.
What It Costs
Tribunal fees are set by the Ministry of Justice and are payable to the tribunal, not to us. Our own charges for preparing court and tribunal documentation are published.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Preparation of court documents | £300.00 |
| Section 20ZA application | £180.00 |
Taken from our published Additional Services price list, PBM Form #01-27 rev.6, effective 23 June 2025. All fees quoted are inclusive of VAT.
Where We Do This
From our Plymouth office, across Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West. Each area page sets out the authority, the fire and rescue service and the local building stock.
Common Questions
Can I Challenge My Service Charge at the Tribunal?
Yes. Section 27A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 allows any leaseholder to apply for a determination of whether a service charge is payable and, if so, how much. You do not need the landlord's agreement and you do not need a solicitor.
Do We Need a Solicitor?
Not usually. The tribunal is designed for parties without representation. Where a matter is genuinely complex or where a point of law is in issue, we refer to specialist legal advisers rather than acting beyond what we are competent to do.
What Is a Section 20C Order?
An order under section 20C of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 preventing a landlord from recovering its costs of the proceedings through the service charge. It is commonly applied for alongside a service charge challenge, because without it a leaseholder can win the case and still pay for it through the next demand.
Related Services
Leasehold Management
Most disputes in a block are not really about money. They are about what the lease actually says, and about…
Read moreCourt-Appointed Property Management
When management has broken down completely, the tribunal can take it out of the landlord's hands and give it…
Read moreFinancial Management & Reporting
The budget is prepared before the year starts and apportioned according to the lease, not by any rule of…
Read more