The LVT or First-Tier Tribunal as it is now called in England is the Court where disputes between leaseholders and their Landlord or Management company are adjudicated.

The tribunal can adjudicate on the following matters:

• Buildings insurance
• Service charges and their reasonableness
• Service quality
• How much you have to pay to extend your lease
• How much you have to pay to buy the freehold of your building
• Contested Right to Manage claims
• Whether a covenant or condition in a lease has been broken

Charges payable under an estate management scheme.

Applications to the LVT may incur charges and in most cases it is advised to apply to the LVT only as a last resort. The cost per application and address where the applications should be submitted are as follows:

Applications for money matters including premium of nominated insurer:

For applications concerning dispensation with consultation requirements, determination as to suitability of nominated insurer, appointment of managers and variation of leases, costs are as follows:

There is no fee payable in respect of the following provisions:

• applications to determine the terms or price in respect of enfranchisement (Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (houses) and Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (flats);
• applications to determine the terms or price in respect of lease extensions under the same legislation as for enfranchisement above;
• application for an order for the limitation of service charges arising from the landlord’s costs of proceedings (S20(c) Landlord and Tenant Act 1985);
• application for an order to dispense with service of a Preliminary Notice prior to an action for the appointment of a manager (S22(3) Landlord and Tenant Act 1987;
• determination of liability to pay an estate management charge (S159(6) Commonhold Leasehold Reform Act 2002);
• variation of an estate management charge (S159(3) Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002);
• all applications arising from the right to manage (Ch 1, Pt2, Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002);
• applications for a determination that a breach of a covenant or condition in the lease has occurred.