Housing Act Appeal\Applications

This page provides a brief introduction to the steps involved in using our service to determine certain types of housing disputes under the provision of the Rent Act 1977 and the Housing Act 2004.

These disputes are determined by local Residential Property Tribunals (RPTs) which follow the process described below.

RPT's can:

• Determine an appeal by a tenant from a decision by a Local Housing Authority or Housing Association to deny the right to buy their home on the grounds that the property is particularly suitable for occupation by elderly persons (under paragraph 11 of Schedule 5 to the Housing Act 1985). The RPT has no jurisdiction if the right to buy has been denied on any other grounds.
• Determine an application made by a Local Housing Authority (LHA) for Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs).
• Determine appeals against Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO's)
• Determine appeals against Improvement Notices
• Determine appeals against Prohibition Notices served by the LHA
• Determine appeals against Emergency Remedial Notices and Emergency Prohibition Orders
• Determine appeals\applications for Demolition and closing orders

Your application should be made using the relevant form in the forms and publications section of this site. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy from your regional Rent Assessment Panel.

When the Rent Assessment Panel receives an application, the Clerk will write to both parties advising them of the next steps and enclosing a copy of the application for the Respondent. The parties will be asked whether they would like the case to be determined by written representations only or whether they would like to attend an oral hearing.

Unless either of the parties requests a hearing, the Clerk may write advising that the RPT will determine the application on the basis of the written evidence given by the parties. Sometimes the Tribunal itself will decide that the fairest way to deal with a case is to hold a hearing.

Sometimes there may be uncertainty about whether an application is valid or whether the RPT has jurisdiction. If this happens the parties will be notified and a hearing may be arranged to consider this preliminary issue. If the RPT decides it can deal with the case it will go on to consider the matter on the same date or at some future date to be arranged.

If either of the parties wants a hearing, the Clerk will write to the parties giving details of when and where the hearing will take place. Hearings usually take place in meeting rooms as close to the property concerned as possible, for example in the local Town Hall or in a church hall. Hearings organised by the London Panel generally take place at the panel offices in central London. These hearings are open to the public. Sometimes, for example if a tenant has restricted mobility, hearings can take place at the property itself if the tenant agrees.

Hearings are kept as informal as possible. Parties can state their own case if they wish or they may have someone to speak for them, for example a friend, relative or professional expert. RPTs seek to ensure that both sides have a fair chance to state their case, especially when one party to a case is professionally represented but the other party presents their case in person. Parties should not produce documentation for the first time at a hearing; otherwise the hearing will need to be adjourned to enable the other party to consider the new evidence.

Whether or not there is a hearing, the RPT  generally accompanied by the Tribunal Clerk will wish to make an inspection of the property. Internal inspections can only be made if the owner or occupier agrees that the Committee may enter the property. Inspections may take place before or after the hearing, and are generally on the same day but may occasionally be on another agreed date.

RPTs do not normally take representations from parties or their representatives during the inspection, although limited exceptions may be made where both parties are present at the inspection and agree to the representations being made.

Respondent and their representatives may attend inspections if the owner or occupier agrees. However, they must arrange this with the owner or occupier before the date of the inspection. If the owner or occupier does not agree, the Respondent or their representative cannot enter the property.

Evidence supplied by the parties should generally be included in a "bundle". This is a set of numbered documents relevant to the issues in the case and should be prepared in accordance with the directions. In some instances the parties will be asked to agree a single bundle which contains all documents that they wish to refer to. Alternatively, each party may be asked to provide their own bundle. It is crucial that bundles are supplied in good time for the hearing to prevent unnecessary postponements or adjournments.

Once the RPT is satisfied that it has all the information it needs, it will make its decision. The clerk will write to you enclosing the decision as soon as possible after the inspection / hearing date.

Residential Property Tribunal decisions are binding on all parties, although there are specific grounds for appeal.