What is Southwark arbitration?

Background information on tenancy and leasehold tribunals

The Tenancy Arbitration Tribunal has been set up to resolve disputes between the council and its tenants, and between the council and leaseholders and right-to-buy applicants as well as freeholders who pay a service charge to the council.

The types of complaints from tenants that we can deal with are contained in the Tenancy Agreement (Conditions of Tenancy) booklet, and include

•  Disrepair
•  Missed appointments
•  Lack of heating and hot water
•  Standard of repair

The tribunal is not part of the council. The complaints are heard by a panel of three lay people who act fairly, impartially and independently of the council. A qualified housing law expert acts as legal adviser to the tribunal.

The benefits and advantages of using the tribunal are that it is

• Free
• Quick
• Informal
• User friendly
• Carries out home visits
• Without the need for solicitors or legal representatives
• Able to give help with completing application forms
• Able to offer disabled access, induction loops, Braille facilities 
• Able to provide a translation service

Background information specifically for leaseholders/freeholders

Leaseholders and freeholders have the option of referring complaints regarding service charges to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal or Southwark Leaseholders Arbitration Tribunal.

The Leasehold Tribunal can deal with complaints regarding

• Alleged breaches of the lease
• Alleged poor delivery of services
• The standard of work

The tribunal can also adjudicate in disputes concerning the Right to Buy Process.