Housing & Tenancy
Housing & Tenancy judgments from UK courts and tribunals, with a plain-English summary, the legal holding and frequently asked questions.
First-tier Tribunal Rules Service Charges for Lift Renovations Reasonable
In this case, the First-tier Tribunal ruled that a landlord's request for service charges to cover lift renovation costs is fair and must be paid by the tenants. This decision supports the need for maintaining safe living conditions in accordance with legal requirements.
First-tier Tribunal: Lower Rise Part of Relevant Building Under Building Safety Act
The First-tier Tribunal decided that Flats 29-40 at Pieris House are not structurally separate from the rest of the building and must be considered part of a 'relevant building' for remediation under the Building Safety Act. This means the a person is subject to safety regulations as part of the larger complex.
First-tier Tribunal Grants Landlord Permission for Urgent Repairs Without Leaseholder Consultation
A landlord sought permission from the First-tier Tribunal to carry out urgent repair works without consulting the a person, as required by law. The court granted this permission because the repairs were necessary to address water ingress that was causing significant damage to one of the flats in a converted building. No a person objected to the application.
First-tier Tribunal Grants Dispensation for Urgent Works Including Asbestos Removal
The First-tier Tribunal allowed the landlord to skip consultations with a person for urgent works including asbestos removal, ensuring no harm to a person.
First-tier Tribunal Rules on Validity of Service Charge Demands
Appeal Dismissed: Managing Agent Fined for Unlicensed HMO
The First-tier Tribunal dismissed an appeal by a property manager against a financial penalty imposed for operating an unlicensed a person. The decision emphasises that managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with licensing requirements even if they believe the landlord is handling it.
First-tier Tribunal Decides Landlord's Break Date and Height Restriction in Telecom Agreement
First-tier Tribunal Rules Tenant Not Liable for Service Charges
In a case before the First-tier Tribunal, the court determined that a tenant was not required to pay for service charges associated with repairing electrical infrastructure in another part of the building. The decision is based on the specific terms of the lease and the extent of the property covered by those terms.
First-tier Tribunal Grants Dispensation for Urgent Works Without Consultation
A managing agent was allowed by the First-tier Tribunal to carry out urgent repairs at a property without following standard consultation procedures. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing that a person were harmed or disadvantaged by the lack of formal consultation.
First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for protected Manchester property
A tenant applied to the First-tier Tribunal for determination of a fair rent for their Manchester property under a protected tenancy. The Tribunal considered market conditions and statutory limits before setting the rent at £119.00 per month, effective from April 2026.
Tribunal Rules Against Balancing Charge and Late Fees in Service Charge Dispute
Tribunal Varies Improvement Notice Responsibility
Tenant Wins Challenge to Service Charges in First-tier Tribunal
A tenant successfully challenged certain service charges in a First-tier Tribunal hearing, arguing they were unreasonable under section 27A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The court ruled that specific invoices from the landlord’s agent were not payable and dismissed the landlord's request for costs.