Freeholders, landlords, managing agents and leaseholders
Leasehold dispute solicitors
Advice on service charges, consultation, covenants and lease terms — in the county court and the First-tier Tribunal.
Leasehold disputes are document-driven. Whether a charge is payable, whether works were properly consulted on, and whether a covenant has been breached are all answered by reading the lease against the statutory framework — not by who is most aggrieved.
We advise freeholders, landlords and managing agents on recovering and defending charges and enforcing covenants, and leaseholders on challenging demands and resisting unfounded allegations of breach. This is dispute work: we do not act on the sale or purchase of leasehold property.
Who this service is for
- Freeholders and landlords of blocks of flats and mixed-use buildings
- Managing agents dealing with a contested budget, major works programme or arrears
- Resident management companies and right-to-manage companies
- Leaseholders challenging a service charge or facing an allegation of breach
Leasehold issues we advise on
- Service charge disputes
- Recoverability under the lease, reasonableness, apportionment, budgets and year-end accounts, and arrears recovery.
- Major works and consultation
- Statutory consultation for qualifying works and long-term agreements, and applications for dispensation.
- Administration charges
- Charges for consents, notices and breach correspondence, and challenges to their reasonableness.
- Breach of covenant
- Alterations, subletting and short-term letting, pets, nuisance and use, including tribunal determinations of breach.
- Lease terms and variation
- Defective or inconsistent leases, disputes about what the lease means and applications to vary terms.
- Ground rent and forfeiture risk
- Recovery of sums due and advice on the notice requirements that precede any forfeiture step.
How Resolve can help
- Advise on whether a charge is recoverable before it is demanded or challenged
- Review consultation processes and repair the position where a step has been missed
- Prepare and conduct First-tier Tribunal applications and responses
- Recover arrears in the county court where tribunal determination is not required
- Negotiate practical outcomes between a landlord, agent and residents who must continue to coexist
Typical steps
1. Lease and accounts review
We map the demand against the recovery clause, apportionment and consultation history.
2. Written position
A clear view on what is payable, what is at risk and what evidence is needed.
3. Tribunal or county court
Application or defence in the correct forum, with directions complied with on time.
4. Outcome and recovery
Determination or settlement, followed by recovery, credit or a revised charging approach.
Why instruct us
- Leasehold work sits within a wider property litigation practice, so forfeiture and possession consequences are considered together
- We identify consultation and recoverability problems early, when they can still be managed
- Pragmatic about block management realities and the cost of contested hearings
- Acting on blocks in London, Watford and Hertfordshire
Where we act
We act on leasehold disputes concerning buildings in London, Hertfordshire and across England & Wales, in the county court and the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Frequently asked questions
Can a service charge be challenged?
Yes. Leaseholders can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination of whether a service charge is payable and reasonable, and landlords can apply for the same determination.
Consultation requirements for qualifying works and long-term agreements are a frequent source of dispute and can limit recovery if they are not followed.
Which forum decides leasehold disputes?
Many leasehold issues — service charges, administration charges, breach of covenant determinations and lease terms on statutory claims — are decided by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Forfeiture, injunctions and damages claims are dealt with in the county court.
Choosing the correct forum at the outset avoids wasted costs and delay.
Start Your Enquiry
Tell us briefly what has happened and what you need. Email and telephone are both required so we can respond in the way that suits you.