RHMORegister

First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Hearing & Applicant Bundle Guide

The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is designed to be accessible to litigants in person without expensive legal representation. However, "informal" does not mean disorganized. Tribunal judges are experienced property lawyers and surveyors who decide claims strictly on documentary evidence and statutory compliance under the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013.

If your evidence is scattered across loose emails, unnumbered exhibits, or disorganized files, the tribunal may adjourn your hearing or refuse to admit critical documents. This guide outlines how to prepare a compliant electronic applicant bundle and conduct yourself with confidence at the hearing.

The Directions Timetable: What to Expect

Once your Form RRO1 is accepted, the tribunal issues a Directions Order establishing a binding timetable:

``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ STANDARD FTT DIRECTIONS TIMETABLE │ ├───────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────┤ │ Stage │ Action Required │ Typical Deadline │ ├───────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────┤ │ 1 │ Tribunal issues Directions & Case Reference │ Day 0 │ │ 2 │ Applicant files & serves Applicant Bundle │ Week 4 – 6 │ │ 3 │ Respondent files & serves Reply Bundle │ Week 8 – 10 │ │ 4 │ Applicant files concise Statement in Reply │ Week 11 – 12 │ │ 5 │ Oral Hearing (In-Person or CVP Video) │ Week 14 – 18 │ │ 6 │ Written Decision issued with Reasons │ Within 6 weeks │ └───────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────┘ ```

Compiling the Electronic Applicant Bundle

The Senior President of Tribunals and Property Chamber Practice Directions set strict formatting standards for digital evidence bundles:

  1. Single Consolidated PDF: All documents must be merged into one single PDF file. Never email the tribunal 20 individual attachments.
  2. Continuous Sequential Pagination: Every page of the bundle must bear an Arabic number (e.g. Page 1 to Page 165) printed clearly in the bottom right corner. The PDF software page number must match the printed page number exactly.
  3. Interactive Bookmarks: The PDF must contain clickable bookmarks corresponding to every section and exhibit in the index.
  4. Searchable Text (OCR): Scanned documents must be processed with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) so text can be searched and highlighted by the judge.

The Mandatory 6-Section Bundle Architecture

``` INDEX TO APPLICANT EVIDENCE BUNDLE Case Reference: LON/00AG/HMK/2026/0123 Property: 14 Acacia Avenue, London NW1 4AB

SECTION A: APPLICATION & PROCEDURAL ORDERS A1: Form RRO1 Application Notice ................................. Pages 1–12 A2: Tribunal Directions Order dated [Date] ....................... Pages 13–18

SECTION B: TITLE & CONTRACTUAL EVIDENCE B1: Official Copy of Register of Title (Land Registry) ........... Pages 19–24 B2: Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements ......................... Pages 25–48

SECTION C: RENT PAYMENTS & DEDUCTIONS SCHEDULE C1: Consolidated Schedule of Rent Paid & UC Deductions ........... Pages 49–54 C2: Applicant Bank Statements (Annotated Rent Transfers) ......... Pages 55–85 C3: Universal Credit Monthly Statements (DWP) .................... Pages 86–98

SECTION D: LOCAL AUTHORITY ENFORCEMENT EVIDENCE D1: Council HMO Register Certificate of Non-Licensing ............ Pages 99–104 D2: Environmental Health Officer Witness Statement/Email ......... Pages 105–112

SECTION E: APPLICANT WITNESS STATEMENTS E1: Witness Statement of Lead Applicant [Name] ................... Pages 113–125 E2: Witness Statement of Co-Applicant [Name] ..................... Pages 126–134

SECTION F: CORRESPONDENCE & PROPERTY DEFECTS F1: WhatsApp & Email Correspondence with Landlord ................ Pages 135–150 F2: Photographic Evidence (Fire Safety Defects & HMO layout) ..... Pages 151–165 ```

Drafting Your Witness Statement

Your witness statement is your primary oral testimony written in narrative form. It must adhere to Rule 22 of the Tribunal Procedure Rules:

1. *Background:* When you moved in, who lived there, how rooms were allocated. 2. *The Licensing Breach:* How you discovered the property was an unlicensed HMO. 3. *Living Conditions & Conduct:* Lack of fire alarms, disrepair, landlord inspection history. 4. *Rent Paid:* Clear summary of your payments and private resources used.

> "I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth."

  • Heading: Include the full Tribunal title, Case Reference, Applicant names, and Respondent name.
  • Numbered Paragraphs: Every sentence or sub-topic must be in a distinct numbered paragraph.
  • Chronological Structure:
  • Statement of Truth (Mandatory Statutory Wording):

Conducting Yourself at the Oral Hearing

* Preliminary Matters: Dealing with late evidence or jurisdiction. * Applicant Evidence: The judge will examine your statement and invite you to summarize your case. * Cross-Examination by Landlord/Counsel: The landlord or their barrister will question you on dates, occupants, and UC payments. Stay calm, answer factual questions directly, and never argue. * Respondent Evidence & Cross-Examination: You have the right to ask the landlord questions (e.g. *"Did you contact the council before letting the property?"*). * Closing Submissions: A concise 5-minute summary of the law and why a 100% award is warranted under Section 44.

  1. Venue & Platform: Hearings are conducted either in-person at the regional tribunal suite or remotely via HMCTS Cloud Video Platform (CVP). Ensure a quiet room, stable internet, and two screens (one for video, one for your bundle).
  2. Form of Address: Address the presiding legal judge as *"Judge"* and the surveyor/valuer member as *"Sir"* or *"Madam"*. Never use "Your Honour" or "My Lord" (tribunals are not the High Court).
  3. The Order of Proceedings:

Claiming Fee Reimbursement: Rule 13(1)(b)

At the conclusion of your closing submission, always make an oral application under Rule 13(1)(b):

"Tribunal, under Rule 13(1)(b) of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013, we respectfully apply for an order that the Respondent reimburse the £100 application fee and the £200 hearing fee paid by the Applicants. The Applicants have been put to this expense solely because of the Respondent's unlawful failure to license the property."

Tribunals almost invariably grant full fee reimbursement to successful applicants.

Ready to claim? The Casewright RRO Pack helps you calculate the rent to reclaim (including Universal Credit and utility deductions), complete Form RRO1, and compile a bookmarked, searchable First-tier Tribunal applicant bundle. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Flat £149 — no percentage of your award.

See the RRO claim toolkit

Reviewed by Sean McNamara against legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK tribunal guidance and council registers. Last verified: 2026-09-04.