First-tier Tribunal Rules Tenant in Breach of Lease

OUTCOME: Dismissed

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FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference :  CHI/OOHN/LBC/2021/0028

Property :  49 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Applicant: [redacted]

[NAME] IG Bradshaw, [NAME] [APPELLANT] [NAME], [NAME] [APPELLANT] ( Trustees and Executors of the [NAME] [COUNSEL] [NAME] :

Respondent: [redacted] : Type of Application :  Application for determination of breach Tribunal Members :

Judge Jim Shepherd

Date of Determination :  16th May 2022

Determination

1. In this case the Applicants, [NAME] [NAME], [NAME] [NAME] and [NAME] [NAME], in their capacity as Trustees of the [COMPANY] and

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Executors for [NAME] [NAME] [NAME] (“The Applicants”) are seeking a determination to the effect that the Respondent, [RESPONDENT] (The Respondent) has breached his lease. The Respondent is insolvent and the [NAME] are instructed. He was adjudged bankrupt on 9th March 2020.

2. The Respondent is the leaseholder of [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] ( The premises). Clause 6.2 of his lease requires him as the head lessee to repair and renew and where appropriate wash down, paint and decorate to such a standard including the roof and eaves of the building. It is alleged by the Applicant that the roof was in disrepair and unsafe. The Applicant had to carry out roof works in default at a cost of £11579.

3. The witness statement of [NAME] on behalf of the Applicants outlines in clear terms the chronology of the case. In summary:

13th November 2019 – reports of stonework becoming detached form the premises. [NAME] take immediate action and make premises safe.

14th March 2019 – further reports of concrete falling. Contractors instructed to remove stone - work.

18th March 2019 – Respondent informed of urgency of the issue and risk of death.

27 March 2019 – Meeting with Respondent who says he is employing a surveyor. Nothing happens and Applicants have to carry out works in default.

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Determination

4. It is patently clear that the Respondent is in breach of his lease . Specifically, he has breached clause 6.2. The [NAME] have carried out works in default as they were entitl4d to do at a cost of £11579. There is no breach of clause 7.1 as such because that clause is a re-entry clause giving the Applicants rights in the event of bankruptcy.

Judge Shepherd

16th May 2022

ANNEX - RIGHTS OF APPEAL Appealing against the tribunal’s decisions

1. A written application for permission must be made to the First-tier Tribunal at the Regional tribunal office which has been dealing with the case.

2. The application for permission to appeal must arrive at the Regional tribunal office within 28 days after the date this decision is sent to the parties.

3. If the application is not made within the 28-day time limit, such application must include a request for an extension of time and the reason for not complying with the 28-day time limit; the Tribunal will then look at such reason(s) and decide whether to allow the application for permission to appeal to proceed despite not being within the time limit.

4. The application for permission to appeal must state the grounds of appeal, and state the result the party making the application is seeking. All applications for permission to appeal will be considered on the papers 5. Any application to stay the effect of the decision must be made at the same time as the application for permission to appeal.