Obtaining superior landlord info: LTA 1985 s. 23
Under LTA 1985 s. 23, immediate landlords must pass section 21 requests up to superior landlords, who must reply within a reasonable time.
If a request under section 21 (request for summary of relevant costs) relates in whole or in part to relevant costs incurred by or on behalf of a superior landlord, and the landlord to whom the request is made is not in possession of the relevant information— he shall in turn make a written request for the relevant information to the person who is his landlord (and so on, if that person is not himself the superior landlord), the superior landlord shall comply with that request within a reasonable time, and the immediate landlord shall then comply with the tenant’s or secretary’s request, or that part of it which relates to the relevant costs incurred by or on behalf of the superior landlord, within the time allowed by section 21 or such further time, if any, as is reasonable in the circumstances. If a request under section 22 (request for facilities to inspect supporting accounts, &c.) relates to a summary of costs incurred by or on behalf of a superior landlord— the landlord to whom the request is made shall forthwith inform the tenant or secretary of that fact and of the name and address of the superior landlord, and section 22 shall then apply to the superior landlord as it applies to the immediate landlord.
Text in force at .
Source: legislation.gov.uk — The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk), reproduced under licence Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it actually says
When a tenant asks their direct landlord for a summary of service charge costs under section 21, those costs might actually have been incurred higher up the ownership chain by a freeholder or head landlord (a superior landlord). If the direct landlord lacks this information, section 23 requires them to make a written request up the chain. The superior landlord must then provide the information within a reasonable time so the direct landlord can comply.
If a tenant asks to inspect supporting accounts or receipts under section 22 for costs incurred by a superior landlord, the direct landlord must promptly inform the tenant and provide the superior landlord's name and address. The inspection rights under section 22 then apply directly against the superior landlord.
When it applies
- A leaseholder requests a section 21 breakdown of building insurance costs, but the insurance policy was taken out by the head landlord rather than their immediate landlord.
- A tenant asks to inspect repair receipts under section 22, and the immediate landlord must disclose the superior landlord's contact details so the tenant can view the records.
- A recognised tenants' association requests financial details from an intermediate landlord regarding structural maintenance managed by a freeholder.
What this section does not say
- Determining whether service charge costs incurred by a superior landlord are reasonable or payable.
- Handling penal sanctions for non-compliance, which are dealt with in other provisions.
- Direct disputes between tenants and superior landlords where no section 21 or section 22 request was previously submitted.
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This page reproduces the text of LTA 1985 s. 23 in force at the date shown and explains it in general terms. It is not legal advice and takes no account of the circumstances of your case, which can change the answer completely. For a live dispute, for limitation periods, and before taking any step in court, consult a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.