The landlord of a mixed commercial and private housing property, intending to carry out needed repairs, requested advance payment from the tenants to cover the costs. The tenants objected that a large part of the costs would be covered in due course by a third party under a constructor’s warranty. Held: The landlord’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Avon Ground Rents Ltd v Cowley and Others: CA 29 Oct 2019
The tenants held an introductory tenancy under the Act. The council sought possession, after giving notice, and after its review under the Act. The tenants objected, but the Council denied the right of the County Court to hear the objection, arguing that the court had no discretion but to order possession, that the right to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Cochrane and Cochrane: CA 21 Dec 1998
The court was asked as to the nature and effect of tenancies for life granted by fully mutual housing co-operatives and in particular how they can lawfully be brought to an end and a possession order obtained. The tenants sought a declaration of incompatibility in respect of section 80. The Co-operative was fully mutual and … Continue reading Southward Housing Co-Operative Ltd v Walker and Another: ChD 8 Jun 2015
Section 27A Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Application of Liability To Pay and Reasonableness of Service Charges Citations: [2015] UKFTT RP – LON – 00BF – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 26 November 2022; Ref: scu.626294
The consideration for the grant of a lease was not a capital sum, but substantial building works. Application was made for its forfeiture. Held: Dillon LJ assumed that the words ‘if the tenant shall enter into liquidation whether compulsorily or voluntarily’ in a re-entry clause in a lease refer to the making of the winding … Continue reading Official Custodian for Charities v Parway Estates Developments (In Liquidation): CA 1985
The lease demised property ‘from the 24th day of June 1985 for a term of twenty years’ with a break clause requiring six month’s notice. The break notice was mistakenly calculated from the anniversary of the lease, not the anniversary of the term. At first instance, the lease was held not to have been validly … Continue reading Garston and Others v Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society: CA 25 Jun 1998
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – cost of employing full time resident caretaker – employment of such a caretaker not needed for the enjoyment of the building – however employment of such a caretaker needed to remedy breach of covenants in headlease – headlessee seeking to recover costs of employing such a caretaker … Continue reading Carey-Morgan and Another v De Walden and Another: UTLC 14 Mar 2013
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – whether costs reasonably incurred – appeal and cross appeal as to whether LVT wrongly failed to have regard to relevant matters – proper construction of service charge provision as to recovery of managing agents fees – whether LVT unfairly took a decision on grounds never raised before … Continue reading Kullar and Another v Kingsoak Homes Ltd: UTLC 26 Feb 2013
The claimant had succeeded in his claim for damages against the council following their failure to comply with their obligations of repair under the 1985 Act. The council appealed an award of pounds 1,500 for chattels damaged by the damp. Held: ‘I, for my part, would think it perfectly absurd in a case like this … Continue reading Stanbury v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Lambeth: CA 5 Dec 1997
The local authority had obtained a possession order against the defendant tenants because of the behaviour of the tenants’ children as ‘conduct which is a nuisance or annoyance to neighbours’ The question on appeal was whether behaviour which related to properties more than 100 metres away from the house fell within the scope of the … Continue reading Northampton Borough Council v Lovatt and Another: CA 11 Nov 1997
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – administration charges – charges for consent to underletting – whether precluded if no provision for it in lease – held that it was not – reasonableness – jurisdiction to determine issues not raised by the application – held there was none – Landlord and Tenant Act 1925 s144 – Landlord … Continue reading Crosspite Ltd v Sachdev and Others: UTLC 25 Sep 2012
Tenants challenged an order for possession, saying the form of notice was defective. The date specified in the notice was clearly a clerical error. It provided that the tenancy would commence on 29 May 1993 and end on 28 May 1993, on the face of it, a day before its commencement. The premises had previously … Continue reading Andrews and Another v Brewer and Another: CA 17 Feb 1997
The tenant had broken a negative covenant against making alterations, namely not to change the exterior sign and not to alter the premises without consent. The landlord sought to forfeit the lease. Held: The breach of the covenant was remediable if the harm caused can be rectified. The breach was a continuing one. Possession was … Continue reading Savva and Another v Houssein: CA 24 Apr 1996
Section 27A and 20C Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – Service Charges (Court Referral) Citations: [2015] UKFTT RP – LON – 00AC – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 16 October 2022; Ref: scu.626890
Judges: Morgan J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1663 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 20B Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 13 October 2022; Ref: scu.441312
The claimants were shareholders in Westrip, accusing the Defendant directors of deliberately engaging in a course of conduct which has led to Westrip losing ownership and control of a very valuable mining licence and which, but for their intervention, would have led to Westrip losing all or almost all of its remaining assets. They say … Continue reading Iesini and Others v Westrip Holdings Ltd and Others: ChD 16 Oct 2009
The parties disputed whether a particular arrangement was covered by and subject to the 2003 Regulations.Lewison J said: ‘[T] here are two separate strands to the policy underlying the regulation of service charges. Parliament gave two types of protection to tenants. First, they are protected by section 19 from having to pay excessive and unreasonable … Continue reading Paddington Basin Developments Ltd and Others v West End Quay Estate Management Ltd and Another: ChD 20 Apr 2010
The landlord granted the tenant a licence to make alterations to the property, but imposed conditions on the use to be made of the resulting premises. The tenant objected. Held: The landlord was entitled when granting consent to take into account possible adverse effects on his own business interests and was therefore able to impose … Continue reading Sargeant, and Sargeant v Macepark (Whittlebury) Limited: ChD 8 Jun 2004
The parties disputed the liability on lessees to contribute to a service charge for maintenance of common parts of the building. The six tenants covenanted to pay a proper proportion of the landlord’s costs of meeting his repair obligations. The landlord executed repair after a water leak. Two tenants argued that the cost was too … Continue reading 69 Marina, St Leonards-On-Sea, Freeholders of v Oram and Another: CA 8 Nov 2011
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – consultation requirements for qualifying works – failure to serve ‘public notice’ requirement in time – application for dispensation – prejudice to tenants – appeal against LVT’s refusal of dispensation allowed – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s20, 20ZA – The Service Charge (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 … Continue reading London Borough of Newham v Hannan and Others: UTLC 7 Oct 2011
LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 section 27A – construction of lease – whether obtaining of a Surveyor’s Certificate a condition precedent to liability to make on account payments or final payments of service charge – held it was a condition precedent – extent to which (quite apart from … Continue reading Akorita v Marina Heights (St. Leonards) Ltd: UTLC 29 Jun 2011
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – BIR – 00FY – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 19 September 2022; Ref: scu.622920
Damages were claimed against a barrister for advice on a settlement given at the door of the court. After substantial litigation, made considerably more difficult by the negligence of the solicitors, the barrister had not advised the claimant at the door of the court to accept an offer. The claimant was not advised as to … Continue reading Moy v Pettman Smith (a firm) and another: HL 3 Feb 2005
LT LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 sections 20 and 20ZA – Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 -qualifying long term agreement (QLTA) – power to dispense with consultation requirements before QLTA entered into – whether consultation requirements should be dispensed with. Citations: [2008] EWLands LRX – 81 … Continue reading Auger and Another v London Borough of Camden: LT 14 Mar 2008
The defendant had been allowed into the property under the homelessness legislation. The authority now sought possession. They said he had a licence only, but he claimed to have a secure tenancy. Held: The authority had made a mistake, and the defedant was a secure tenant. The letter offering him the property, and his receipt … Continue reading Eastleigh Borough Council v Walsh: HL 28 Mar 1985
The landlord owned two adjoining commercial properties. The tenant of one proposed to assign the lease to the tenant of the adjoining property. The landlord refused consent on the ground that if the assignment went ahead, it was likely that the assignee would terminate its tenancy of the adjoining property, which the landlord would have … Continue reading Houlder Brothers and Co Ltd v Gibbs: CA 1925
The tenant appealed against a finding that her tenancy was a statutory shorthold tenancy following termination of an assured shorthold tenancy, or an assured tenancy. She moved in as a carer for the tenant of the trustee defendants. That arrangement developed. The trustees said that she was not then treated as a tenant. The tenant … Continue reading Vesely v Levy and others: CA 27 Apr 2007
Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 50 Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 10 July 2022; Ref: scu.136598
Citations: [2014] UKFTT RP – LON – 00AW – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 10 July 2022; Ref: scu.629652
The parties to the action had given cross undertakings to support the grant of an interim injunction. A third party subsequently applied to be joined, and now sought to take advantage of the cross undertakings to claim the losses incurred through the giving of the ‘wrongful undertakings’ Held: The joined party, who had not itself … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc Glaxosmithkline UK Ltd and Another v Apotex Europe Ltd and others (No 2): CA 23 May 2006
The occupier had been granted a temporary licence by the authority under the homelessness provisions whilst it made its assessment. The assessment concluded that she had become homeless intentionally, and therefore terminated the licence and set out to evict her. She claimed that the authority had to get a court authority before so evicting her. … Continue reading Desnousse v London Borough of Newham and others: CA 17 May 2006
LT Service Charges – Procedure – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s.20(4) – Failure to serve copy of estimates – fees part of cost of qualifying work but not required to be included in estimate. Citations: [2006] EWLands LRX – 10 – 2005 Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 20(4) Landlord and Tenant … Continue reading Richmond Housing Partnership v Smith and Another: LT 23 Jan 2006
The officer had entered a fair rent for a caravan. The site owner sought the vacation of the entry. The caravan was fully mobile, but was also connected to mains water and electric and sewage. The connections were easily removed, and the caravan was from time to time moved. Held: Whether a caravan counted as … Continue reading Regina v Rent Officer of Nottinghamshire Registration Area, ex parte Allen: 1985
The client challenged his opponent’s solicitors bill of costs, saying that the other side had not been given an estimate of costs. The solicitor acted on several matters for the client and had not given a formal estmate. Held: The absence of the estimate should not deprive the solicitor of payment for the work undertaken … Continue reading Garbutt and Another v Edwards and Another: CA 27 Oct 2005
In each case the authority had obtained an order for possession of the tenanted properties, but the court had suspended the possession orders. The tenants had therefore now become ‘tolerated trespassers’. They now claimed that they had again become secure tenants, having been allowed to continue in possession after breach of the terms of the … Continue reading London Borough of Lambeth and Hyde Southbank Ltd v O’Kane, Helena Housing Ltd: CA 28 Jul 2005
Application was made to join in further parties to support a cross undertaking on being made subject to interim injunctions. Held: On orders other than asset freezing orders it was not open to the court to impose cross-undertakings against parties unwilling to grant them. ‘Since a cross-undertaking cannot be imposed, it follows that a fortiori … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc and others v Apotex Europe Ltd and others: PatC 26 Jul 2005
Application for the dispensation of consultation requirements pursuant to s20 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Citations: [2014] UKFTT RP – LON – 00AH – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 29 June 2022; Ref: scu.630446
The tenant had allowed an equitable charge over his lease in favour of a creditor. The lease was forfeited by peaceable re-entry for non-payment of rent, and the chargee sought relief from forfeiture. A new tenancy had been granted in the mean-time. Held: If relief was on the basis of payment of arrears, some part … Continue reading Bland v Ingrams Estates Ltd and Others (No 2): CA 11 Jul 2001
The tenant complained that the landlord had unreasonably delayed approval of a proposed underletting. Held: The court had to bear in mind that the consent was to an underlease, and that therefore there was no privity between the landlord and the proposed sub-tenant. The tenant would remain liable for rent and repairs as before. The … Continue reading NCR Ltd v Riverland Portfolio No.1 Ltd: ChD 16 Jul 2004
The claimant sought a declaration that it had a tenancy for its occupation by an advertising station, and that it had protection under the 1954 Act. The defendant council said that only a licence had been granted. Held: The grants included the areas surrounding the concrete bases on which the stations were erected. Despite the … Continue reading Clear Channel United Kingdom Ltd, Regina (on the Application of) v First Secretary of State and Another: Admn 14 Oct 2004
The claimant landlord sought possession after long years of non-payment of rent. The secure tenant said that the landlord had entirely failed in its repairing obligations, and that the sums of rent had been expended on those repairs. Judges: Thorpe LJ Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 295 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading London Fire and Civil Defence Authority v Ahktar: CA 14 Feb 2001
The company began a claim for damages for the failure to complete an award of a contract, but then went into voluntary liquidation. The defendant refused payment claiming that it would be used only for payment of the insolvency practitioner’s costs. The new CPR rules disapplied old assumptions, and the overriding objective should apply. An … Continue reading Harmon CFEM Facades (UK) Ltd v The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons: TCC 29 Jun 2000
The landlord had elected to waive exemption to charging VAT on its lettings. The tenant relet the demised premises, but at first without charging VAT. It later charged VAT on the sublease, but the commissioners objected to the attempt of the claimants under regulation 109 to reclaim the VAT it had itself paid before that … Continue reading Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc v Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Customs and Excise: HL 22 May 2003
The pipes in a block of flats had been changed from 1.5 to 1 inch. This was all right for some 6 years until the water pressure of the supply to the building dropped. The issue was whether there was a breach of the s.11(1) covenant. The landlords appealed saying that the section imposed upon … Continue reading O’Connor and Others v Old Etonians Housing Association Ltd: CA 20 Feb 2002
The claimant sought to oblige the respondent to repair his flat under the 1988 Act. The respondent replied that the arrangement was a licence only, and not protected under the Act. Held: The housing association had a temporary licence to occupy a house and to re-let it, but under conditions which were more consistent with … Continue reading Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust: HL 24 Jun 1999
The tenant occupied land next to a canal under a lease from the Defendants. The landlord opposed a renewal saying they wished to occupy the land themselves for the purposes of a marina. The tenant said the plan was unrealistic, because it would not get planning permission for the change of use (the tenant was … Continue reading Regina (Westminster City Council) v British Waterways Board: HL 1985
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CHI – 19UJ Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 26 May 2022; Ref: scu.622942
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – whether landlord’s source of funding relevant to leaseholders’ liabilities – whether ‘blanket policy’ against discretionary relief relevant to whether service charge payable – whether replacement windows were repairs or improvements – appeal dismissed – sections 19, 20A and 27A Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – section 219 … Continue reading Craighead v Homes for Islington Ltd and Another: UTLC 24 Feb 2010
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CHI – 43UB – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.622948
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CHI – 00HN – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.622939
The parties, head lessor and sub-lessess, had assumed that following Brown -v- Wilson the sub-lease would continue upon the determination of the head lease, and had overlooked Pennell which overruled Brown v Wilson. However the lease made express provision. Held: The express preservation of the sub-lease allowed the sub-lease to continue. As to whether an … Continue reading PW and Co v Milton Gate Investments Ltd (BT Property Ltd and another, Part 20 defendants): ChD 8 Aug 2003
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CAM – 00ME – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.623073
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – LON – 00AF – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.622903
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – BIR – 00CT – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 21 May 2022; Ref: scu.622919
Landlord and Tenant – Service Charges – Reasonableness – reasonableness of sums payable in advance – relevance of NHBC warranty – whether necessary that receipt of funds from NHBC be guaranteed before being taken into account in determining reasonableness of advance payments – ss.19(2), 27A Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – appeal dismissed Citations: [2018] … Continue reading Avon Ground Rents Ltd v Cowley and Others Re: The Interchange: UTLC 21 Mar 2018
Held. A tenant who continued to stay in property after a possession order was granted, but who paid a sum equivalent to rent as it fell due, and something off the arrears, did not necessarily thereby become a tenant again, but could be viewed as a tolerated trespasser. That status might be compromised as against … Continue reading William Watson Stirling v Leadenhall Residential 2 Ltd: CA 29 Jun 2001
The tenant appealed against a refusal of what he said was his right to buy the flat he occupied. The Housing Association respondent and arbitrator had said that the tenancy had been assured, not secure and that therefore no right to buy had existed. After the grant of the tenancy, the Association had changed in … Continue reading Ali Bhai and Another v Black Roof Community Housing Association Ltd: CA 2 Nov 2000
Regulations made to ease the effect of changes on the calculation of registered rents were ultra vires and void. The Act under which they were made was intended to control inflation. The purpose of these Regulations was to ease the effect on protected tenants of decisions which would lead to rent increases. Citations: Times 15-Feb-2000 … Continue reading Regina, Ex Parte Spath Holme Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and The Regions, Secretary of State For Wales: CA 20 Jan 2000
A possession warrant issued under a secure tenancy of a dwelling-house may not be set aside after its execution, unless the possession order itself was set aside for example as having been obtained by fraud. If a possession order has been made, there was no need to notify the tenant that the warrant was issued … Continue reading Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Hill: CA 25 Apr 1994
The court considered the relationship between statutory provisions and the terms of a tenancy agreement. Held: Brandon LJ said: ‘In the various Housing and rent Acts the legislature did not seek to interfere with the common law principles on which contractual tenancies, whether periodic or for a term certain, could be brought to an end. … Continue reading Harrison v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council: CA 1981
A husband resisted his former wife’s claim under the section against his brother, her brother-in-law. He asserted, with a view to deceiving both his wife and the Court, that his brother, who held the fee of a house, did not hold any share beneficially for the husband but held entirely for himself, the brother. That … Continue reading Singh v Singh: 1985
There is a strong presumption that Parliament will not legislate to prevent individuals affected by legal measures promulgated by executive public bodies having a fair opportunity to challenge these measures and to vindicate their rights in court proceedings doing so. Viscount Simonds said: ‘It is a principle not by any means to be whittled down … Continue reading Pyx Granite Ltd v Ministry of Housing and Local Government: HL 1959
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
Northern : Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – Section 20ZA Citations: [2014] UKFTT RP – MAN – 00BW – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 27 April 2022; Ref: scu.629829
Exemplary Damages Award in Defamation The plaintiff had been awarded damages for defamation. The defendants pleaded justification. Before the trial the plaintiff gave notice that he wanted additional, exemplary, damages. The trial judge said that such a claim had to have been pleaded. The Court of Appeal had considered Rookes -v- Barnard to have been … Continue reading Cassell and Co Ltd v Broome and Another: HL 23 Feb 1972
A trader who decided to acquire property for letting could claim repayment of VAT on the cost of a right to acquire a building which had not yet been constructed, let alone tenanted. Citations: C-268/83, [1985] ECR I-655 Jurisdiction: European Citing: Cited – Schul v Inspecteur der Invoerrechten en Accijnzen (Judgment) ECJ 5-May-1982 A basic … Continue reading Rompelman v Minister van Financien (Judgment): ECJ 14 Feb 1985
A possession order was properly made against a tenant for the misbehaviour of a family member. Citations: Times 15-Jul-1996, [1996] 29 HLR 507 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Sch 2 Part 1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Northampton Borough Council v Lovatt and Another CA 11-Nov-1997 The local authority had obtained a possession … Continue reading Kensington and Chelsea Royal London Borough Council v Simmonds: CA 15 Jul 1996
A dwelling subtenant of part of premises comprised in a business lease became a secure tenant on the surrender of the mesne tenancy. Section 79 of the 1985 Act had ambulatory effect.Waite LJ said: ‘The use of the term ‘at any time’ in section 79(1) shows that the section is to have ambulatory effect. Occupiers, … Continue reading Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council v Paice: CA 3 Apr 1995
The crown’s disclaimer of a lease does not stop revival of liability under the lease on the re-registration of the company. Citations: Times 23-Feb-1994 Statutes: Companies Act 1985 653(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Company, Landlord and Tenant, Insolvency Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.77755
Citations: [2014] UKFTT RP – CHI – 29UG – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 23 March 2022; Ref: scu.629744
The claimants were tenants who sought damages from their local authority landlords, for failing to remedy defects such as mould, mildew, and condensation in the dwellings let to them. The defects were a result of the design of the building. They asked the court to revisit the law settled in the Quick case in the … Continue reading Lee v Leeds City Council; Ratcliffe and Others v Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 21 Jan 2002
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – FTT procedure – power to award costs for unreasonable conduct of proceedings – s.29, Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 – Rule 13(1)(b) Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013 – appeals allowed [2016] UKUT 290 (LC) Bailii England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 20 January 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Willow Court Management Company (1985) Ltd v Alexander: UTLC 21 Jun 2016
An agreement was made for the assignment of the copyright in a music track, but it remained ‘subject to contract’. The assignor later sought to resile from the assignment. Held: It is standard practice in the music licensing business for a licensee and a licensor to enter into a deal memo followed by a long … Continue reading Confetti Records (A Firm), Fundamental Records, Andrew Alcee v Warner Music UK Ltd (Trading As East West Records): ChD 23 May 2003
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – tenants to pay fixed proportion of service charge payable by intermediate landlord to freeholder – intermediate landlord to pay proportion of costs incurred by head landlord to be determined by head landlord or its surveyor whose decision is final and binding – jurisdiction of tribunal in relation … Continue reading Gater and Others v Wellington Real Estates Ltd and Another: UTLC 18 Dec 2014
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – Service charges – application for determination of liability for payment of service charges – Framework Agreements – Qualifying Long Term Agreements – [s.20] – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 section 27A(3) – Application refused [2015] UKUT 395 (LC) Bailii Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 27A(3) England and Wales Landlord and … Continue reading Kensington and Chelsea v The Lessees of 1-124 Pond House and Others: UTLC 21 Jul 2015
In each case the local authority sought to recover possession of its own land. In the Lambeth case, they asserted this right as against an overstaying former tenant, and in the Leeds case as against gypsies. In each case the occupiers said that the recovery of possession interfered with their right respect for their family … Continue reading Kay and Another v London Borough of Lambeth and others; Leeds City Council v Price and others and others: HL 8 Mar 2006
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – sufficiency of reasons – whether charges agreed or admitted – section 27A(4) Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – appeal allowed [2015] UKUT 232 (LC) Bailii Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 27A(4) England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 30 December 2021; Ref: scu.547227
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges — application to First-tier Tribunal for certificate of recognition in respect of a tenants’ association — Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 section 29 — proper approach by First-tier Tribunal to such an application [2015] UKUT 11 (LC) Bailii Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 29 England and Wales Landlord … Continue reading Rosslyn Mansions Tenants’ Association v Winstonworth Ltd: UTLC 12 Jan 2015
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charge – whether estate service charge are a recoverable head of expenditure under Sub-underleases – determination of the extent of liability of the sub-underlessees – true construction of terms of Sub-underleases – whether LVT misdirected itself on the aspect of ‘reasonableness’ pursuant to Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s. … Continue reading One Housing Group Leasholders of 29 Flats In Navigation Court: UTLC 16 Jul 2014
The tenancy was a long lease at a low rent under the 1954 Act, and so had continuing protection under the 1977 Act whilst occupied by the original tenant. The lease was assigned and registered. It had been conditional upon an application to purchase the reversion, which did not proceed. Held: subject to the effect … Continue reading Tiffany Investments Ltd and Another v Bircham and Co Nominees (No 2) Limited and others: CA 4 Dec 2003
A company went into liquidation, being owed substantial sums by another company in the same group, but itself insolvent. A settlement did not include accrued interest, but was claimed to be taxed as if it had, and on an accruals basis. If so, was this an expense properly arising in the insolvency, and payable as … Continue reading Kahn and Another v Commissioners of Inland Revenue; In re Toshoku Finance plc: HL 20 Feb 2002
Former HL decision in Siebe Gorman overruled The company had become insolvent. The bank had a debenture and claimed that its charge over the book debts had become a fixed charge. The preferential creditors said that the charge was a floating charge and that they took priority. Held: The appeal was allowed. The debenture, although … Continue reading National Westminster Bank plc v Spectrum Plus Limited and others: HL 30 Jun 2005
Houseowners around a square had variously enfranchised their properties, but were now in dispute as to the management of the communal garden. Held: Though the company was unable to recover the legal costs in the absence of an express power, they had otherwise acted properly. Mr Justice Collins [2003] EWHC 3173 (Ch) Bailii Landlord and … Continue reading Malone, Malone, Goldstein v Bircham and Co Nominees (No 2) Ltd, Stowell, Visortuning Ltd: ChD 19 Dec 2003
conflict between a landlord’s claim to possession and a tenant’s claim to exercise her right to buy, both being claims arising under the Housing Act 1985. The Hon Mr Justice Lindsay [2003] EWHC 2944 (Ch), [2004] 1 All ER 1036 Bailii Housing Act 1985 England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Basildon District Council v … Continue reading The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea v Marilyn Hislop: ChD 5 Dec 2003
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – interpretation of lease – reserve fund – costs of proceedings – LVT misled by mistaken consensus – s.20C Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – appeal allowed Martin Rodger QC, Deputy President [2014] UKUT 29 (LC) Bailii Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 20C England and Wales Landlord and … Continue reading Sussex Villas Ltd v Wan and Another: UTLC 28 Jan 2014
A consent order provided for a substantial payment to the tenant, who was claiming damages for failure to maintain the premises in good repair. The landlord now sought possession. Held: There was no implied admission that the landlord was entitled to possession under the section.Sir John Donaldson MR: ‘The question which then arises is whether … Continue reading Regina v Bloomsbury and Marylebone County Court, ex parte Blackburne: CA 1985
The court was asked whether when contracts have been induced by bribery and have been rescinded on discovery of the bribery, that constitutes a dispute which can be determined by arbitration in the context of a common form of arbitration clause. Held: a dispute whether the contract can be set aside or rescinded for alleged … Continue reading Fiona Trust and Holding Corporation and others v Privalov and others: CA 24 Jan 2007
The claimant had applied for judicial review of a decision by the defendant to seek to recover a debt from them. The issue had however been settled in the County Court. Costs were ordered against them, and they now appealed. In a small company the chief manager and owner suffered a severe head injury, and … Continue reading Valentines Homes and Construction Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v HM Revenue and Customs: CA 31 Mar 2010
The pursuer said that he had been assaulted whilst in the custody of the responder’s officers. He began civil actions after his complaint was rejected. He repeated the allegation of the assault, and complained also as to the conduct of the investigation, saying that it had infringed his Artricle 3 human rights. The Sheriff rejected … Continue reading Ruddy v Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police and Another: SC 28 Nov 2012
Judge’s Reasons Must Show How Reached In each case appeals were made, following Flannery, complaining of a lack of reasons given by the judge for his decision. Held: Human Rights jurisprudence required judges to put parties into a position where they could understand how the decision in their case had been arrived at. Flannery preceded … Continue reading English v Emery Reimbold and Strick Ltd; etc, (Practice Note): CA 30 Apr 2002
The court was asked, whether asked to grant possession against a disabled tenant where the grounds for possession were mandatory. The defendant was a secure tenant with a history of psychiatric disability. He had set out to buy his flat, but the council sought possession when it discovered that he had sublet. Held: Section 23(3)(c) … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm and Disability Rights Commission: CA 25 Jul 2007
The appellant’s brother had been the secure tenant of the respondent Council which had in 1987 obtained an order for possession for rent arrears suspended on condition. The condition had not been complied with, but the brother had continued to live in the house paying rent and sums from the arrears until he died in … Continue reading Austin v Mayor and Burgesses of The London Borough of Southwark: SC 23 Jun 2010
Old breaches did not support possession order The mobile home tenant was said to have paraded on the caravan park in combat style clothing, and disguising his face, causing fear among the other tenants. He now appealed against confirmation of the order for possession. He said that there had been an interval of almost three … Continue reading Telchadder v Wickland Holdings Ltd: SC 5 Nov 2014
Guarantee beyond term was unreasonable The tenant objected that the landlord’s conditional consent to an assignment was unreasonable. The purchaser was a dormant company which had never traded. The clause referred to ‘a respectable and responsible assignee or sub-tenant’. The tenant had itself offered a conditional guarantee. Held: A lessor cannot normally reasonably require a … Continue reading Landlord Protect Ltd v St Anselm Development Company Ltd: CA 20 Feb 2009
When a licence is really a tenancy The document signed by the occupier stated that she understood that she had been given a licence, and that she understood that she had not been granted a tenancy protected under the Rent Acts. Exclusive occupation was in fact granted. Held: This was a tenancy not a licence. … Continue reading Street v Mountford: HL 6 Mar 1985
The appellant had occupied for a long time a room in a house let by the authority. After the death of the tenant, the appellant sought, but was refused, a statutory tenancy. He claimed to be a member of the tenant’s family, and that the list of family relationships in section 113 was not exhaustive. … Continue reading Michalak v London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 6 Mar 2002
There was a contract by a father to allow his son to buy the father’s house on payment of the instalments of the father’s Building Society loan. Held: Denning LJ reviewed the cases and said: ‘The result of all these cases is that, although a person who is let into exclusive possession is prima facie … Continue reading Errington v Errington and Woods: CA 19 Dec 1951
C operated a motor racing circuit as tenant. The neighbour L objected that the noise emitted by the operations were a nuisance. C replied that the fact of his having planning consent meant that it was not a nuisance. Held: The neighbour’s appeal succeeded. C, but not the freeholder were liable in nuisance. In the … Continue reading Coventry and Others v Lawrence and Another: SC 26 Feb 2014
Deleayed Rates Claims Service made them Defective The council claimed that the defendants were liable for business rates. The defendants said that the notices were defective in not having been served ‘as soon as practicable’, and further that they should not be enforced since the delay had created substantial prejudice. The Council challenged the correctness … Continue reading North Somerset District Council v Honda Motor Europe Ltd and Others: QBD 2 Jul 2010
The council made offers of accommodation which were rejected as inappropriate by the proposed tenants. Held: The council was given a responsibility to act reasonably. It was for them, not the court to make that assessment subject only to Wednesbury considerations. Nor was it for the proposed tenants’ views to hold sway. At first instance … Continue reading London Borough of Newham v Khatun, Zeb and Iqbal: CA 24 Feb 2004