First-Tier Tribunal Application

What is a First-Tier Tribunal Application?

We’ve applied to the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for permission to enter into long-term contracts for the supply of gas and electricity to communal areas in some of our buildings — without carrying out the full consultation process usually required under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

This is known as a Section 20ZA dispensation.

We’re doing this because energy prices are highly unpredictable, and the time available to secure competitive rates is often very short. The usual consultation process takes too long and could prevent us from locking in better prices for residents.

This application only affects communal energy supplies — such as lighting in shared areas, lifts, door entry systems, and communal heating — and only applies to homes where these costs are recovered through a variable service charge. If you’re on a heat network, where you share a communal boiler, this will also apply to you. It does not affect your personal gas or electricity supply.

We believe this approach will help us:

Get better value for money on energy contracts
Reduce the risk of sudden increases in service charges
Provide more stability in future budgeting
You can read the full application and supporting documents by clicking the link below.

Application and supporting documents

If you have any questions or would like to comment, please follow the instructions in the 'directions' document below.

Download the tribunal application document (PDF)

pdf | 273Kb

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Download the directions we received following our application (PDF)

pdf | 187Kb

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FAQs

Here are some frequently-asked questions about the First-Tier Tribunal application process.

1. What is a First-Tier Tribunal application?

The First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is a legal body that deals with housing-related matters. We’ve applied to the Tribunal to ask for permission to enter into long-term energy contracts without going through the full consultation process usually required by law.

2. What is a Section 20ZA dispensation?

Under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords must consult tenants and leaseholders before entering into certain contracts. A Section 20ZA dispensation allows us to skip this consultation if we can show it’s reasonable to do so — for example, when quick action is needed to secure better prices.

3. Why is this application necessary?

Energy prices can change quickly, and the best deals are often available for a very short time. The usual consultation process takes too long and could mean we miss out on lower prices. This application helps us act faster to protect residents from rising costs.

4. Will this affect my personal gas or electricity supply?

No. This only applies to communal energy supplies — such as lighting in shared hallways, lifts, or communal heating systems. Your personal energy supplier and bills are not affected.

5. What is a variable service charge?

A variable service charge means the amount you pay can change each year, depending on the actual cost of services like cleaning, maintenance, and communal energy.

6. How will this benefit residents?

By securing energy contracts more quickly, we aim to:

Get better prices.
Avoid sudden increases in service charges.
Provide more stable and predictable costs.

7. Can I give feedback or object to the application?

Yes. If you have any comments or concerns, you can contact us using the details provided in the 'directions' document above. The tribunal will consider all feedback before making a decision.