Fate of LVT (Leasehold Valuation Tribunal) and LEASE (Leasehold Advisory Service) Announced

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has announced this morning the fate of The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) and the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (which is part of the Residential Property Tribunal Service).

The Leasehold Advisory Service remains "under consideration" with the intention that it will be merged in future with a specialist advice service.  A formal decision will be made in April 2011.

The Residential Property Tribunal Service will no longer remain a Non-Departmental Public Body and will be abolished.  It's juridisdiction will be transferred so that it will become part of the Ministry of Justice's Tribunal Service.  This reform also applies to Rent Assessment Panels.

The above reforms form part of the general cost cutting measures which are being applied to the Department for Communities and Local Government, which have overall governmental responsibility for the LVT and LEASE.

Today's announcement was made as 192 government quangos are to be axed and 289 reformed.