Enfranchisement disputes increase; HOMES: RENTAL NEWS.THE Residential Property Tribunal Service The Residential Property Tribunal Service (or RPTS) was formed as a side effect of the increased powers made available to Residential Property Tribunals under the Housing Act 2004. (RPTS) has today announced a 68 per cent rise in cases of enfranchisement The act of making free (as from Slavery); giving a franchise or freedom to; investiture with privileges or capacities of freedom, or municipal or political liberty. Conferring the privilege of voting upon classes of persons who have not previously possessed such. disputes in the Midlands. Over the past year, the Government-sponsored tribunal has seen a dramatic rise in leaseholders and landlords applying to use their services to resolve disputes which have arisen from the enfranchisement process. A change in the law through the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act (CLARA CLARA Clairemont Amateur Radio Association ) has given many leaseholders a greater opportunity to acquire the freehold of their properties or to obtain a lease extension, but time consuming and stressful disputes can sometimes arise over valuations and other aspects of the process. With many leaseholders seeking to acquire their freeholds or extend their leases, the RPTS are keen to highlight the fast and affordable solution to housing dispute that they provide. Despite the significant rise in cases, the RPTS are concerned that many people remain unaware of their powers, and have produced a new guidance booklet to assist leaseholders and landlords alike through the simple and efficient process of applying to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (LVTs) are statutory tribunals in England which determine various types of landlord and tenant dispute involving residential property in the private sector. (LVT). A LVT will look into the application, examine the issues and make a decision. There is no obligation to have legal representation, and, in leasehold enfranchisement cases, there is no fee for making an application to the LVT. RPTS senior president Siobhan McGrath said: "Despite the increase in the number of people using the tribunal's fast and efficient services, we are concerned that many more are involved in stressful and time consuming housing disputes. "We would advise leaseholders and landlords alike who are involved in a disagreement to contact either their regional panel or the RPTS National helpline." The new guidance booklet, titled "Leasehold Enfranchisement", clearly explains how to apply, how the tribunal works and answers applicants' questions about the hearing process. Copies are available via the RPTS National helpline on 0845 600 3178. |
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