Leasehold Dispute Solicitors

If you are a leaseholder or freeholder involved in a leasehold dispute, our solicitors, with over 20 years of experience in leasehold law in England and Wales, can help.

Last reviewed: August 2026

Leasehold disputes arise from the legal relationship between a freeholder and a leaseholder under a long residential lease. These disputes can concern service charges, ground rent, the freeholder’s management of the building, breaches of covenant by either party, forfeiture proceedings, or the exercise of statutory rights. In England and Wales, the framework governing these disputes includes the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, and the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 has amended a number of provisions and introduced further tenant-friendly reforms, some of which are already in force and some of which are being phased in. Leaseholders now have broader access to enfranchisement and right-to-manage rights, and further changes to service charge transparency and ground rent regulation are part of the ongoing reform programme.

At Law Lane Solicitors, we act for leaseholders and freeholders in leasehold disputes from offices in Stratford, High Holborn, and Croydon. Founded in 2015, we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and hold a Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales. Our reviews show a 4.95 rating from over 1,200 reviews.

What does our leasehold dispute service cover?

Leasehold disputes span a range of issues that arise under the terms of the lease and the relevant statutes. Our team advises and acts on:

Service charge disputes under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, including applications to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine whether service charges are reasonable or were properly consulted on under the major works procedure.
Ground rent disputes, including advice on the enforceability of ground rent provisions in light of reforms under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 and the position under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
Breach of covenant disputes, where either the leaseholder or the freeholder is alleged to have failed to comply with the terms of the lease.
Forfeiture proceedings and relief from forfeiture, where the freeholder seeks to terminate the lease for a breach by the leaseholder, including the statutory protections available to leaseholders under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.
Lease extension disputes under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, including counter-notice disputes and premium references to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Collective enfranchisement disputes under the 1993 Act, including eligibility challenges and premium determination.
Right to Manage disputes under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, including responses to counter-notices and tribunal references.
Administration charge disputes, where the freeholder or managing agent levies charges for consents, approvals, or other administrative acts and the leaseholder challenges their reasonableness.
Appointment of a manager under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, where the freeholder’s management is seriously deficient.

Why choose Law Lane for leasehold disputes?

Leasehold disputes often involve technical arguments about the construction of the lease alongside statutory rights that depend on precise procedural compliance. A service charge challenge requires an understanding of both the wording of the service charge provisions in the lease and the requirements of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 about consultation and reasonableness. A forfeiture defence requires prompt action: relief from forfeiture must be applied for within a short timeframe and a leaseholder who misses the relevant deadlines can lose a property worth many times the amount of the original breach.

We act for both leaseholders and freeholders, which means we are familiar with the arguments on each side. A leaseholder challenging a service charge demand needs to know exactly which elements of the charge can be challenged and what evidence the tribunal will require. A freeholder defending a challenge needs to understand how to demonstrate that the works were necessary and the costs were reasonable. Acting for both sides means we anticipate the other party’s arguments from the outset.

Our solicitor-advocates represent clients directly at First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) hearings and in the county court, without the need for separate advocacy. Leasehold disputes that involve complex valuations may also require reference to the Upper Tribunal, and we are experienced in managing cases through both levels of tribunal.

Get in touch

Our leasehold team is ready to advise leaseholders and freeholders in disputes. Book a consultation today and find out what options are open to you.

Phone: 020 7870 4870 or email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk

Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Leasehold Disputes

What is a service charge and can it be challenged?

A service charge is an amount payable by a leaseholder to the landlord or managing agent to cover the cost of maintaining and managing the building. Under Section 19 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, service charges are only payable to the extent they are reasonably incurred and the services or works are carried out to a reasonable standard. A leaseholder who disputes whether a service charge is payable or reasonable can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which has jurisdiction to determine both questions.

What is forfeiture and how can a leaseholder defend against it?

Forfeiture is the freeholder’s right to terminate the lease for a breach of its terms. In residential cases, a freeholder cannot forfeit a lease for a monetary breach unless that breach has been determined by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) or admitted by the leaseholder. A leaseholder facing forfeiture can apply to the court for relief from forfeiture, which the court will usually grant on payment of the amount owed and costs. We advise on relief applications urgently, as time limits apply.

Can I challenge the standard of a freeholder's management?

Yes. Where a freeholder or managing agent is managing a building to a standard that justifies intervention, leaseholders can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for the appointment of a new manager under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. Alternatively, qualifying leaseholders may be able to exercise the Right to Manage under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, which allows them to take over management without the need to prove fault. We advise on the appropriate route based on the specific circumstances.

What is an administration charge dispute?

An administration charge is a payment demanded by the freeholder or managing agent for administrative acts such as approving alterations, granting consents, or registering a new mortgage. Under Schedule 11 to the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, administration charges are only payable if they are reasonable. A leaseholder who considers an administration charge unreasonable can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination.

Is there a costs risk at the First-tier Tribunal?

The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) does not generally make costs orders against the losing party, unlike the county court. However, where a party has behaved unreasonably, the tribunal can order costs under Rule 13 of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013. The absence of an automatic costs risk makes the tribunal a relatively accessible forum for leaseholders who have a genuine dispute but are concerned about exposure to costs.

Can a freeholder charge legal costs through the service charge?

Whether legal and management costs incurred by the freeholder can be recovered through the service charge depends on the terms of the lease. Some leases include a broad administration and management clause that may cover legal costs; others do not. Even where the lease permits recovery, the costs must be reasonable and the freeholder must comply with the major works consultation procedure for qualifying expenditure. A leaseholder can challenge costs through a service charge application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).

How much does an initial consultation cost?

We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation for leasehold dispute matters. At that meeting we review the lease, identify the nature and strength of the dispute, and advise on the most appropriate route and the likely costs and timeframe. Please contact us to arrange a time.