First-tier Tribunal · Property Chamber
Guidance and case preparation for the Residential Property Tribunal.
Independent, plain-English support for leaseholders, RTM companies, small landlords and managing agents — with a London focus and coverage across England & Wales.
- 7+
- Major case categories covered
- £100–£300
- Typical tribunal fees (indicative)
- No-costs
- Default cost regime (with exceptions)
- Lay reps
- Permitted at the FTT
Who we help
Built for the people actually running tribunal cases.
Leaseholders & resident groups
Including RMC and freehold companies acting collectively.
RTM & RMC directors
Right to Manage and resident-owned management companies.
Small freeholders & landlords
Where structured prep beats expensive full representation.
Managing agents
Needing rigorous, tribunal-ready case preparation.
Case types covered
Every major matter in the Residential Property Division.
Service charges
Reasonableness, payability and accounts.
Administration & management
Consent fees, late charges, management.
Major works & Section 20
Consultation and cost caps.
Enfranchisement & lease extensions
Premium, terms and landlord costs.
RTM & Appointment of Managers
Eligibility and management breakdown.
Park homes & site rules
Pitch fees, site rules, harassment.
Rent determinations
Regulated tenancies and certain rents.
Council & mixed blocks
What the FTT can — and can't — do.
How it works
A clear path from confusion to decision.
01
Understand
Free guides aligned with GOV.UK, LEASE and judicial guidance — so you know what you're walking into.
02
Prepare
Structured Case Map, bundles, numbers analysis and witness statements built to tribunal-ready standards.
03
Present
Hearing rehearsal and optional unpaid lay representation on the day, within FTT rules.
Why PropertyTribunal.uk
The middle ground between a GOV.UK page and a £40k legal bill.
- Focused solely on the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
- Bridges the gap between free official guidance and full legal representation.
- Data-driven analysis of service charges, major works and enfranchisement premiums.
- Transparent: non-solicitors, working alongside legal advisers where appropriate.
Guide library
Deep, plain-English guides for every tribunal question.
200+ definitive guides — every major statute, procedure and case type, grouped by topic. Free, no login. Every guide is a dedicated top-level URL.
Service charges
34 guides
How to Challenge Service Charges at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
The Reasonableness Test for Service Charges: Key Caselaw Explained
Reserve Fund and Sinking Fund Challenges at the Tribunal
Management Charge vs Service Charge: The Critical Difference
How to Dispute a Service Charge Demand Under Section 27A
What Makes a Service Charge Unreasonable Under Section 19
Service Charge Accounts: What You Are Entitled to See
Section 21 Summary of Relevant Costs — Leaseholder Rights
Section 21B Summary of Rights and Obligations Explained
The 18-Month Rule (Section 20B): Time Limits for Service Charges
How to Request Service Charge Invoices and Receipts
Challenging Buildings Insurance Costs at the Tribunal
Insurance Commissions and Service Charge Transparency
Challenging Managing Agent Fees in a Service Charge
Challenging Cleaning and Gardening Costs at the Tribunal
Challenging Concierge and Door Staff Costs at the Tribunal
Lift Maintenance and Repair Service Charge Challenges
Fire Safety Service Charge Costs: What Is Recoverable
CCTV and Security Service Charge: What Is Reasonable
Energy and Utilities Costs in Service Charges Explained
District Heating Service Charges and Heat Network Rules
Challenging Window Cleaning Service Charge Costs
Challenging Lift Modernisation Major Works Costs
What Is a Variable Service Charge and Why It Matters
On-Account vs Balancing Service Charge Payments Explained
End-of-Year Service Charge Reconciliation Disputes
Forfeiture Warning Notices and Service Charge Arrears
Ground Rent vs Service Charge: What Is the Difference
Sections 47 & 48 LTA 1987: Landlord's Name and Address
Service Charge Arrears Defence Toolkit for Leaseholders
How to Request a Service Charge Audit
Challenging Legal Fees Added to a Service Charge
Estate Management Charges: Freehold Owners' Guide
Fleecehold Estate Charges and Your Rights
Major works
21 guides
Section 20 Consultation Explained for Leaseholders and Major Works
Section 20 Notice of Intention Explained (With Example)
Section 20 Notice of Estimates Explained Step by Step
Section 20 Notice of Reasons: When Is It Required?
Qualifying Long Term Agreements and the £100 Cap
Nominated Contractors: Section 20 Leaseholder Rights
Dispensation Under Section 20ZA — Daejan Explained
Urgent Works and Section 20 Emergency Dispensation
Major Works Tendering Standards: What Good Looks Like
Section 20 Consultation Timeline and Key Deadlines
Scaffolding and External Repairs Service Charge Issues
Roof Replacement Major Works Cost Challenge Guide
Window Replacement Programme Service Charge Guide
Cladding Remediation Costs and the Building Safety Act
Balcony Remediation Works: Service Charge Issues
Fire Door Replacement Programmes and Cost Recovery
Challenging Cyclical Decoration Costs at the Tribunal
Major Works Project Management Fees Explained
Intrusive Surveys and Service Charge Costs
Challenging a Major Works Specification Before Tender
Standard of Work Tribunal Tests Post-Waaler
Enfranchisement
23 guides
Leasehold Enfranchisement Costs and Premium Calculator (2026)
Statutory Lease Extension: 90 Years Guide for Flat Leaseholders
Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024: What Changed and When
Collective Enfranchisement Eligibility Checklist
How to Serve a Section 13 Notice Under the 1993 Act
How to Serve a Section 42 Notice — Lease Extension
Counter-Notice Under Section 45: What Happens Next
Premium Calculation for Lease Extensions — Worked Example
Marriage Value Explained — and When It Still Applies
Deferment Rate: Sportelli and Current Tribunal Practice
Capitalisation Rate for Ground Rent Explained
Relativity Graphs and Mundy — What They Mean
Nominee Purchaser Companies in Collective Enfranchisement
Participation Agreement in Collective Enfranchisement
Missing Landlord Enfranchisement Vesting Order
Intermediate Leases in Collective Enfranchisement
Mixed-Use Buildings and the 25% Rule Post-2024
How to Buy Your Freehold House Under the 1967 Act
Informal Lease Extension vs Statutory Route
Leaseholder Landlord Costs Under the 1993 Act
Challenging Landlord Non-Litigation Costs — Section 60
What to Do If Your Lease Has Under 80 Years Left
Ground Rent Buyout Under the LFRA 2024 Explained
RTM & Management
22 guides
Right to Manage (RTM): Step-by-Step Guide for London Leaseholders
Appointment of Manager Under Section 24 Landlord & Tenant Act 1987
How to Set Up a Right to Manage Company
RTM Notice of Invitation to Participate Explained
RTM Claim Notice Drafting and Service Guide
RTM Counter-Notice: Common Landlord Objections
RTM Eligibility in Mixed-Use Buildings
Multi-Block RTM: Triplerose and Block-by-Block
Managing a Block After RTM Acquisition — What Changes
RMC vs RTM vs Freehold Company — Which Structure?
Director Duties in a Resident Management Company
Removing a Managing Agent — The Lawful Process
Appointment of Manager: Evidence You Need
Preliminary Notice Under Section 22 LTA 1987
Right of First Refusal — Section 5 LTA 1987
Variation of Leases Under Section 35 LTA 1987
Section 37 Collective Lease Variation Explained
Deed of Variation: When You Need Tribunal Approval
How RMCs Should Hold Service Charge Money in Trust
Breach of Lease Covenants and the Forfeiture Process
Section 168 CLRA Determination Before Forfeiture
RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code (SCRMC)
Building safety
16 guides
Building Safety Act 2022: Leaseholder Protections Explained
What Is a Relevant Building Under the BSA 2022?
What Is a Qualifying Leaseholder? Explained
Landlord Certificate and Leaseholder Deed of Certificate
Remediation Orders Under Section 123 BSA 2022
Remediation Contribution Orders — Section 124 BSA 2022
Cladding Costs Under Schedule 8 BSA 2022
Non-Cladding Remediation Caps Under Schedule 8
Waking Watch Costs: What You Should Pay
EWS1 Forms and Service Charge Recovery
Higher-Risk Buildings and the Building Safety Regulator
Principal Accountable Person Duties Explained
Building Safety Charge vs Service Charge — Difference
How to Apply for a Remediation Order Step by Step
Landlord Liability Under Schedule 8 Explained
Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme
Council & social
11 guides
Council Leaseholder Service Charge Disputes: Complete Guide
Florrie's Law: £15,000 Cap Council Leaseholders' Guide
Challenging Council Major Works Bills at the Tribunal
Housing Association Service Charge Disputes Guide
Shared Ownership Service Charges: What Is Payable
Council Decent Homes Programme Service Charge Issues
Right to Buy Service Charge Estimates — Section 125
Five-Year Rule: Right to Buy Service Charge Caps
Complaining to the Housing Ombudsman vs the Tribunal
Awaab's Law and Social Landlord Repair Standards
Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018 Remedies
Park homes
11 guides
Park Homes Pitch Fee Review at the Tribunal: A Complete Guide
Park Home Pitch Fee Review Notice Explained
Challenging a Park Home Pitch Fee Review at Tribunal
Park Home Site Rules: How to Object
Park Home Sale and 10% Commission Rules
Park Home Implied Terms — Mobile Homes Act 1983
Park Home Site Licence Conditions and Enforcement
Fit and Proper Person Test for Park Site Owners
Harassment of Park Home Occupiers: Remedies
Park Home Improvements and Pitch Fee Increases
Deterioration of Park Amenity and Pitch Fee Reduction
Procedure
34 guides
How to Prepare a Tribunal Bundle for the Property Chamber
Scott Schedule for Service Charge Disputes: Template and Worked Example
Tribunal Witness Statement Guide for Leaseholders
How to File a Property Chamber Application: Forms and Process Explained
Property Chamber Application Form RP1: Completed Example
How to Write a Statement of Case for the Property Chamber
Case Management Directions: What to Expect
Disclosure in Property Chamber Cases Explained
Preparing a Witness Statement That Actually Works
Expert Evidence in the Property Chamber: When and How
Single Joint Expert in Property Chamber Cases
Scott Schedule for Service Charge Disputes Guide
Skeleton Argument Template for the Property Chamber
Opening and Closing Submissions: What Judges Look For
Cross-Examination Tips for Litigants in Person
How to Object to Directions and Request Variation
Adjournment Applications at the Property Chamber
Strike Out and Summary Disposal in Tribunal Cases
Consent Orders and Tomlin Orders in the Property Chamber
Without Prejudice Negotiations in Tribunal Cases
Calderbank and Part 36-Analogous Offers at the FTT
Appealing a Property Chamber Decision — Permission to Appeal
Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Appeal Procedure
Review of a Property Chamber Decision — Rule 55
How to Request a Paper Determination Instead of a Hearing
Remote Video Hearings at the Property Chamber
Site Inspections in Property Chamber Cases
Consolidating Multiple Property Chamber Applications
Joinder of Parties in Property Chamber Cases
Preliminary Issue Hearings at the Property Chamber
How to Enforce a Property Chamber Decision in the County Court
Fee Remission (Help with Fees) at the Property Chamber
Property Chamber Forms RP1, RP5, RP6 Explained
How to Serve Documents on a Landlord Lawfully
Costs & risk
28 guides
Section 20C Costs Order Explained: Stop Landlord Legal Costs Coming Back Through the Service Charge
Paragraph 5A Schedule 11 CLRA Costs Order Explained
Tribunal Fees and Hearing Costs: A 2026 Guide
How to Apply for a Section 20C Order — Worked Example
When Tribunals Refuse Section 20C Orders
Paragraph 5A Schedule 11 CLRA 2002 — Worked Example
Rule 13 Unreasonable Conduct Costs Orders
Landlord Legal Costs Recovery Through Service Charge
Administration Charges vs Legal Costs in Service Charges
How to Estimate Tribunal Cost Exposure Before Issuing
Costs in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber)
Indemnity Costs Basis in Property Tribunal Cases
Conditional Fee Agreements in Property Tribunal Cases
Damages-Based Agreements for Leasehold Disputes
After-the-Event Insurance for Property Tribunal Cases
Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Section 27A Application
Managing a Block Litigation Fund Lawfully
s.20C Timing: When to Apply and When Not To
Costs Consequences of Late Payment of Service Charge
How to Negotiate a Costs Order Settlement
Landlord Costs Recovery Clauses and How to Read Them
Understanding Schedule 11 CLRA 2002 Administration Charges
Reasonableness of Administration Charges — Paragraph 2
Consent Fees for Alterations and Subletting Challenges
Late Payment Interest and Default Interest Clauses
Tribunal Fee Refunds and Cost Recovery Basics
Costs Budgeting in Property Chamber Multi-Party Cases
Settlement Strategy for Service Charge Disputes
Tell us about your case.
A short intake helps us understand your case type, stage and timeline — and tell you honestly whether tribunal is the right route.