ABSTRACT
The Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (LVT) was created principally to engage in the valuation of leasehold properties for enfranchisement and related purposes. Section 170 of the 2002 Act brings into line the restriction against forfeiture for non-payment of service charges contained in section 81 of the Housing Act 1996, so that the same stipulations will apply effectively to any conceivable breach of covenant except non-payment of ground rent. Although there are some variations because of the increasingly wide range of cases within the LVT's jurisdiction, there are fundamentally three stages to an LVT case: the application; any directions issued by the tribunal; and the hearing. The powers of the LVT when it comes to awarding costs as between the parties remain extremely limited, but they are slightly greater than before the 2002 Act was implemented. LVT decisions may be appealed only with permission of the LVT or, failing that, the Lands Tribunal.
