I am a leaseholder and own a house. Would like to gather more information on my responsibilities and rights as a leaseholder. What are the general rights of a leaseholder?

You have the right to:

Leasehold property

Overview

You only own a leasehold property for a fixed period of time.

You’ll have a legal agreement with the landlord (sometimes known as the ‘freeholder’) called a ‘lease’. This tells you how many years you’ll own the property.

Ownership of the property returns to the landlord when the lease comes to an end.

Most flats are leasehold. Houses can be leasehold too and usually are if they’re bought through a shared ownership scheme.

The rules about leasehold property are different in Northern Ireland.

Leaseholder rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities

Your lease will tell you what conditions you’ve agreed to, for example:

if you need permission to make alterations

how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the property

whether you or your landlord has responsibility for repairs and dealing with noisy neighbours

You might be taken to court and be ordered to pay for any damage If you do not follow the conditions of the lease. The court may also take away your lease.

Your rights

You have the right to:

get information about service charges or insurance

know the landlord’s (freeholder’s) name and address

be consulted about certain maintenance and running costs

challenge certain charges under some circumstances

Service charges and other expenses

Service charges

Your lease sets out the way the service charge is organised and what can be charged. If you pay a service charge, you have the right to:

ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on

see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts

Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not.

Ground rent

You do not have to pay ground rent unless your landlord has sent you a formal, written demand for it. They can take legal action if you do not pay after you’ve received the demand.

Your landlord can recover unpaid ground rent going back 6 years - they can ask you for the full amount in one go.

Your landlord can only increase the ground rent if you agree to the increase or the lease says this can happen.

Building insurance

Your landlord will usually be responsible for insurance of the building (not the contents) - this will be part of your service charge.

You have a right to:

ask for a summary of the insurance policy

challenge the cost through a tribunal if you think it’s unreasonable

Reserve or sinking funds

You might have to pay into a fund to help cover any unexpected maintenance or repairs, like replacing the roof. There are rules about how landlords must manage these funds.

You will not usually be able to get back any money you pay into them, for example if you move house.

Consulting over charges

You have the right to be consulted about charges for running or maintaining the building if you have to pay more than:

£250 for planned work

£100 per year for work and services lasting more than 12 months

There are steps your landlord must follow when they consult you, known as a ‘Section 20’ consultation. There’s a limit on how much you have to pay if you have not been consulted properly - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Disputing a charge

You may be able to apply to a tribunal if you pay a charge and you:

think it’s unreasonable

think the standard of work it relates to is unsatisfactory

do not think you should be paying it at all

Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You cannot apply to the tribunal if:

you’ve agreed to pay the charge

the dispute is already being dealt with, for example by the court

you pay a fixed charge

Try mediation - you may also be able to change the management of your building instead.

Your landlord can take you to court if you stop paying a charge you’re responsible for.

More information

The Leasehold Advisory Service has more information on service charges and other issues.

Extending, changing or ending a lease

Extending the lease

You can ask the landlord to extend your lease at any time.

You might be able to extend your lease by:

90 years on a flat if you qualify

50 years on a house if you qualify

The Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LAS) lease extension calculator gives you a guide to the costs of extending the lease of a flat.

Changing the lease

You can negotiate certain changes to the lease, sometimes known as ‘varying the lease’. Speak to your landlord first.

If you cannot agree, you may be able to apply to a tribunal - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Ending the lease

It’s very rare that a landlord can end the lease and evict you. There are some circumstances and leases that let them do this, sometimes known as ‘forfeiture proceedings’. They need to send you a formal written notice and get the court’s permission.

You can usually end a lease by giving at least 1 month’s notice.

The LAS has information about ending a lease.

When the lease runs out

You do not have to leave the property when the lease expires. In law, a lease is a tenancy and the leaseholder is a tenant. The tenancy will continue on exactly the same terms unless you or the landlord decide to end it.

Buying the freehold

You can ask the landlord to sell you the freehold at any time.

There are different legal steps and rules depending on whether your home is a:

flat - you’ll need to buy a share of the freehold

house - you may have the right to buy the freehold

Right of first refusal

Landlords who want to sell the freehold of a building containing flats usually have to offer the leaseholders the first chance to buy it. This is known as your right of first refusal.

There are different rules and steps to buying the freehold of your home in Northern Ireland

Right to Manage and management disputes

You may be able to change the management of your building if you’re unhappy with the way it’s being run and you live in a leasehold flat. You can either:

ask a tribunal to appoint a new manager

take over the management responsibilities, known as your ‘Right to Manage’

Appoint a new manager

You must prove bad management if you want to appoint a new manager, for example:

you have to pay unreasonable service charges

the landlord has not complied with an approved code of management practice

Apply to a tribunal in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in Wales.

You can only apply to the tribunal if you’ve sent the landlord a ‘Section 22 notice’ - this gives them a chance to fix the problems. Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Right to Manage

The Right to Manage lets you and the other leaseholders take over certain management responsibilities from the landlord without having to prove bad management.

You’ll need to find out if you qualify - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You and the other leaseholders can manage the building yourselves or pay a managing agent to do it.

Leasehold disputes

There is a different dispute process in Wales.

You can use a mediation service to help you and your landlord come to an agreement if you are in dispute about your lease. You might have to pay a fee.

You can also get free advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LAS) on issues like:

service charges

extending your lease

buying the freehold

Apply to a tribunal

You can apply to a tribunal if you’re in a dispute with your landlord, for example:

service or administration charges

the cost of building insurance

appointment of a manager

Right to Manage

breach of a lease

varying a lease

recognising a tenants’ association

buying the freehold

extending the lease

Apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals if you’re in Wales.

get information about service charges or insurance

Leasehold property

Overview

You only own a leasehold property for a fixed period of time.

Ownership of the property returns to the landlord when the lease comes to an end.

Most flats are leasehold. Houses can be leasehold too and usually are if they’re bought through a shared ownership scheme.

The rules about leasehold property are different in Northern Ireland.

Leaseholder rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities

Your lease will tell you what conditions you’ve agreed to, for example:

if you need permission to make alterations

how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the property

whether you or your landlord has responsibility for repairs and dealing with noisy neighbours

Your rights

You have the right to:

know the landlord’s (freeholder’s) name and address

be consulted about certain maintenance and running costs

challenge certain charges under some circumstances

Service charges and other expenses

Service charges

ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on

see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts

Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not.

Ground rent

Your landlord can recover unpaid ground rent going back 6 years - they can ask you for the full amount in one go.

Your landlord can only increase the ground rent if you agree to the increase or the lease says this can happen.

Building insurance

Your landlord will usually be responsible for insurance of the building (not the contents) - this will be part of your service charge.

You have a right to:

ask for a summary of the insurance policy

challenge the cost through a tribunal if you think it’s unreasonable

Reserve or sinking funds

You will not usually be able to get back any money you pay into them, for example if you move house.

Consulting over charges

You have the right to be consulted about charges for running or maintaining the building if you have to pay more than:

£250 for planned work

£100 per year for work and services lasting more than 12 months

Disputing a charge

You may be able to apply to a tribunal if you pay a charge and you:

think it’s unreasonable

think the standard of work it relates to is unsatisfactory

do not think you should be paying it at all

Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You cannot apply to the tribunal if:

you’ve agreed to pay the charge

the dispute is already being dealt with, for example by the court

you pay a fixed charge

Try mediation - you may also be able to change the management of your building instead.

Your landlord can take you to court if you stop paying a charge you’re responsible for.

More information

The Leasehold Advisory Service has more information on service charges and other issues.

Extending, changing or ending a lease

Extending the lease

You can ask the landlord to extend your lease at any time.

You might be able to extend your lease by:

90 years on a flat if you qualify

50 years on a house if you qualify

The Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LAS) lease extension calculator gives you a guide to the costs of extending the lease of a flat.

Changing the lease

You can negotiate certain changes to the lease, sometimes known as ‘varying the lease’. Speak to your landlord first.

If you cannot agree, you may be able to apply to a tribunal - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Ending the lease

You can usually end a lease by giving at least 1 month’s notice.

The LAS has information about ending a lease.

When the lease runs out

Buying the freehold

You can ask the landlord to sell you the freehold at any time.

There are different legal steps and rules depending on whether your home is a:

flat - you’ll need to buy a share of the freehold

house - you may have the right to buy the freehold

Right of first refusal

There are different rules and steps to buying the freehold of your home in Northern Ireland

Right to Manage and management disputes

ask a tribunal to appoint a new manager

take over the management responsibilities, known as your ‘Right to Manage’

Appoint a new manager

You must prove bad management if you want to appoint a new manager, for example:

you have to pay unreasonable service charges

the landlord has not complied with an approved code of management practice

Apply to a tribunal in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in Wales.

Right to Manage

You’ll need to find out if you qualify - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You and the other leaseholders can manage the building yourselves or pay a managing agent to do it.

Leasehold disputes

There is a different dispute process in Wales.

You can also get free advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LAS) on issues like:

service charges

extending your lease

buying the freehold

Apply to a tribunal

You can apply to a tribunal if you’re in a dispute with your landlord, for example:

service or administration charges

the cost of building insurance

appointment of a manager

Right to Manage

breach of a lease

varying a lease

recognising a tenants’ association

buying the freehold

extending the lease

Apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals if you’re in Wales.

know the landlord’s (freeholder’s) name and address

Leasehold property

Overview

You only own a leasehold property for a fixed period of time.

Ownership of the property returns to the landlord when the lease comes to an end.

Most flats are leasehold. Houses can be leasehold too and usually are if they’re bought through a shared ownership scheme.

The rules about leasehold property are different in Northern Ireland.

Leaseholder rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities

Your lease will tell you what conditions you’ve agreed to, for example:

if you need permission to make alterations

how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the property

whether you or your landlord has responsibility for repairs and dealing with noisy neighbours

Your rights

You have the right to:

get information about service charges or insurance

be consulted about certain maintenance and running costs

challenge certain charges under some circumstances

Service charges and other expenses

Service charges

ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on

see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts

Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not.

Ground rent

Your landlord can recover unpaid ground rent going back 6 years - they can ask you for the full amount in one go.

Your landlord can only increase the ground rent if you agree to the increase or the lease says this can happen.

Building insurance

Your landlord will usually be responsible for insurance of the building (not the contents) - this will be part of your service charge.

You have a right to:

ask for a summary of the insurance policy

challenge the cost through a tribunal if you think it’s unreasonable

Reserve or sinking funds

You will not usually be able to get back any money you pay into them, for example if you move house.

Consulting over charges

You have the right to be consulted about charges for running or maintaining the building if you have to pay more than:

£250 for planned work

£100 per year for work and services lasting more than 12 months

Disputing a charge

You may be able to apply to a tribunal if you pay a charge and you:

think it’s unreasonable

think the standard of work it relates to is unsatisfactory

do not think you should be paying it at all

Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You cannot apply to the tribunal if:

you’ve agreed to pay the charge

the dispute is already being dealt with, for example by the court

you pay a fixed charge

Try mediation - you may also be able to change the management of your building instead.

Your landlord can take you to court if you stop paying a charge you’re responsible for.

More information

The Leasehold Advisory Service has more information on service charges and other issues.

Extending, changing or ending a lease

Extending the lease

You can ask the landlord to extend your lease at any time.

You might be able to extend your lease by:

90 years on a flat if you qualify

50 years on a house if you qualify

The Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LAS) lease extension calculator gives you a guide to the costs of extending the lease of a flat.

Changing the lease

You can negotiate certain changes to the lease, sometimes known as ‘varying the lease’. Speak to your landlord first.

If you cannot agree, you may be able to apply to a tribunal - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Ending the lease

You can usually end a lease by giving at least 1 month’s notice.

The LAS has information about ending a lease.

When the lease runs out

Buying the freehold

You can ask the landlord to sell you the freehold at any time.

There are different legal steps and rules depending on whether your home is a:

flat - you’ll need to buy a share of the freehold

house - you may have the right to buy the freehold

Right of first refusal

There are different rules and steps to buying the freehold of your home in Northern Ireland

Right to Manage and management disputes

ask a tribunal to appoint a new manager

take over the management responsibilities, known as your ‘Right to Manage’

Appoint a new manager

You must prove bad management if you want to appoint a new manager, for example:

you have to pay unreasonable service charges

the landlord has not complied with an approved code of management practice

Apply to a tribunal in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in Wales.

Right to Manage

You’ll need to find out if you qualify - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You and the other leaseholders can manage the building yourselves or pay a managing agent to do it.

Leasehold disputes

There is a different dispute process in Wales.

You can also get free advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LAS) on issues like:

service charges

extending your lease

buying the freehold

Apply to a tribunal

You can apply to a tribunal if you’re in a dispute with your landlord, for example:

service or administration charges

the cost of building insurance

appointment of a manager

Right to Manage

breach of a lease

varying a lease

recognising a tenants’ association

buying the freehold

extending the lease

Apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals if you’re in Wales.

be consulted about certain maintenance and running costs

Leasehold property

Overview

You only own a leasehold property for a fixed period of time.

Ownership of the property returns to the landlord when the lease comes to an end.

Most flats are leasehold. Houses can be leasehold too and usually are if they’re bought through a shared ownership scheme.

The rules about leasehold property are different in Northern Ireland.

Leaseholder rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities

Your lease will tell you what conditions you’ve agreed to, for example:

if you need permission to make alterations

how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the property

whether you or your landlord has responsibility for repairs and dealing with noisy neighbours

Your rights

You have the right to:

get information about service charges or insurance

know the landlord’s (freeholder’s) name and address

challenge certain charges under some circumstances

Service charges and other expenses

Service charges

ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on

see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts

Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not.

Ground rent

Your landlord can recover unpaid ground rent going back 6 years - they can ask you for the full amount in one go.

Your landlord can only increase the ground rent if you agree to the increase or the lease says this can happen.

Building insurance

Your landlord will usually be responsible for insurance of the building (not the contents) - this will be part of your service charge.

You have a right to:

ask for a summary of the insurance policy

challenge the cost through a tribunal if you think it’s unreasonable

Reserve or sinking funds

You will not usually be able to get back any money you pay into them, for example if you move house.

Consulting over charges

You have the right to be consulted about charges for running or maintaining the building if you have to pay more than:

£250 for planned work

£100 per year for work and services lasting more than 12 months

Disputing a charge

You may be able to apply to a tribunal if you pay a charge and you:

think it’s unreasonable

think the standard of work it relates to is unsatisfactory

do not think you should be paying it at all

Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You cannot apply to the tribunal if:

you’ve agreed to pay the charge

the dispute is already being dealt with, for example by the court

you pay a fixed charge

Try mediation - you may also be able to change the management of your building instead.

Your landlord can take you to court if you stop paying a charge you’re responsible for.

More information

The Leasehold Advisory Service has more information on service charges and other issues.

Extending, changing or ending a lease

Extending the lease

You can ask the landlord to extend your lease at any time.

You might be able to extend your lease by:

90 years on a flat if you qualify

50 years on a house if you qualify

The Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LAS) lease extension calculator gives you a guide to the costs of extending the lease of a flat.

Changing the lease

You can negotiate certain changes to the lease, sometimes known as ‘varying the lease’. Speak to your landlord first.

If you cannot agree, you may be able to apply to a tribunal - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Ending the lease

You can usually end a lease by giving at least 1 month’s notice.

The LAS has information about ending a lease.

When the lease runs out

Buying the freehold

You can ask the landlord to sell you the freehold at any time.

There are different legal steps and rules depending on whether your home is a:

flat - you’ll need to buy a share of the freehold

house - you may have the right to buy the freehold

Right of first refusal

There are different rules and steps to buying the freehold of your home in Northern Ireland

Right to Manage and management disputes

ask a tribunal to appoint a new manager

take over the management responsibilities, known as your ‘Right to Manage’

Appoint a new manager

You must prove bad management if you want to appoint a new manager, for example:

you have to pay unreasonable service charges

the landlord has not complied with an approved code of management practice

Apply to a tribunal in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in Wales.

Right to Manage

You’ll need to find out if you qualify - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You and the other leaseholders can manage the building yourselves or pay a managing agent to do it.

Leasehold disputes

There is a different dispute process in Wales.

You can also get free advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LAS) on issues like:

service charges

extending your lease

buying the freehold

Apply to a tribunal

You can apply to a tribunal if you’re in a dispute with your landlord, for example:

service or administration charges

the cost of building insurance

appointment of a manager

Right to Manage

breach of a lease

varying a lease

recognising a tenants’ association

buying the freehold

extending the lease

Apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals if you’re in Wales.

challenge certain charges under some circumstances

Leasehold property

Overview

You only own a leasehold property for a fixed period of time.

Ownership of the property returns to the landlord when the lease comes to an end.

Most flats are leasehold. Houses can be leasehold too and usually are if they’re bought through a shared ownership scheme.

The rules about leasehold property are different in Northern Ireland.

Leaseholder rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities

Your lease will tell you what conditions you’ve agreed to, for example:

if you need permission to make alterations

how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the property

whether you or your landlord has responsibility for repairs and dealing with noisy neighbours

Your rights

You have the right to:

get information about service charges or insurance

know the landlord’s (freeholder’s) name and address

be consulted about certain maintenance and running costs

Service charges and other expenses

Service charges

Your lease sets out the way the service charge is organised and what can be charged. If you pay a service charge, you have the right to:

ask for a summary showing how the charge is worked out and what it’s spent on

see any paperwork supporting the summary, such as receipts

Your landlord must give you this information - it’s a criminal offence if they do not.

Ground rent

Your landlord can recover unpaid ground rent going back 6 years - they can ask you for the full amount in one go.

Your landlord can only increase the ground rent if you agree to the increase or the lease says this can happen.

Building insurance

Your landlord will usually be responsible for insurance of the building (not the contents) - this will be part of your service charge.

You have a right to:

ask for a summary of the insurance policy

challenge the cost through a tribunal if you think it’s unreasonable

Reserve or sinking funds

You will not usually be able to get back any money you pay into them, for example if you move house.

Consulting over charges

You have the right to be consulted about charges for running or maintaining the building if you have to pay more than:

£250 for planned work

£100 per year for work and services lasting more than 12 months

Disputing a charge

You may be able to apply to a tribunal if you pay a charge and you:

think it’s unreasonable

think the standard of work it relates to is unsatisfactory

do not think you should be paying it at all

Contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You cannot apply to the tribunal if:

you’ve agreed to pay the charge

the dispute is already being dealt with, for example by the court

you pay a fixed charge

Try mediation - you may also be able to change the management of your building instead.

Your landlord can take you to court if you stop paying a charge you’re responsible for.

More information

The Leasehold Advisory Service has more information on service charges and other issues.

Extending, changing or ending a lease

Extending the lease

You can ask the landlord to extend your lease at any time.

You might be able to extend your lease by:

90 years on a flat if you qualify

50 years on a house if you qualify

The Leasehold Advisory Service’s (LAS) lease extension calculator gives you a guide to the costs of extending the lease of a flat.

Changing the lease

You can negotiate certain changes to the lease, sometimes known as ‘varying the lease’. Speak to your landlord first.

If you cannot agree, you may be able to apply to a tribunal - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

Ending the lease

You can usually end a lease by giving at least 1 month’s notice.

The LAS has information about ending a lease.

When the lease runs out

Buying the freehold

You can ask the landlord to sell you the freehold at any time.

There are different legal steps and rules depending on whether your home is a:

flat - you’ll need to buy a share of the freehold

house - you may have the right to buy the freehold

Right of first refusal

There are different rules and steps to buying the freehold of your home in Northern Ireland

Right to Manage and management disputes

ask a tribunal to appoint a new manager

take over the management responsibilities, known as your ‘Right to Manage’

Appoint a new manager

You must prove bad management if you want to appoint a new manager, for example:

you have to pay unreasonable service charges

the landlord has not complied with an approved code of management practice

Apply to a tribunal in England, or the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in Wales.

Right to Manage

You’ll need to find out if you qualify - contact Leasehold Advisory Service for advice.

You and the other leaseholders can manage the building yourselves or pay a managing agent to do it.

Leasehold disputes

There is a different dispute process in Wales.

You can also get free advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LAS) on issues like:

service charges

extending your lease

buying the freehold

Apply to a tribunal

You can apply to a tribunal if you’re in a dispute with your landlord, for example:

service or administration charges

the cost of building insurance

appointment of a manager

Right to Manage

breach of a lease

varying a lease

recognising a tenants’ association

buying the freehold

extending the lease

Apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals if you’re in Wales.


I own a house with a private garden . My garden fence is only 3 feet from a public road so for more privacy I decided to erect a 8 feet fence but the allowed height is only 6 feet I applied for a permission to have a 8 feet fence. My application was made 10 weeks before but no decision made. Can I appeal ?

You can appeal against a lawful development certificate decision if either:

Appeal a decision about a lawful development certificate

When you can appeal

Your local planning authority makes decisions about lawful development certificates.

you disagree with it

the decision was not made within 8 weeks (6 weeks for work to a listed building)

Do not appeal if you’ve already been given an enforcement notice. You may have to pay additional costs if you do.

Only the person who made the lawful development certificate application can appeal. If you did not apply, you can comment on an appeal instead.

There’s no fee for appealing.

Deadline for appealing

There’s normally no deadline. If you’re appealing an application about a listed building lawful development certificate, you must appeal within 6 months of the decision.

You can apply for planning permission at the same time as appealing a lawful development certificate decision.

When you can expect a decision

You’ll get a decision once your appeal is validated.

Check how long appeal decisions normally take.

How to appeal

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you cannot currently appeal by post. You can still appeal to the Planning Inspectorate online.

If you want to appeal more than one decision you must make a separate appeal for each.

You also need to send a copy of your appeal, including all supporting documents, to your local planning authority. The Planning Inspectorate will tell you how to do this.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit copies of:

your original application

the local planning authority’s decision notice - if they did not make a decision, send a copy of the letter acknowledging your application

all plans, drawings and documents you sent to the local planning authority

any letters or emails between you and the local planning authority

You’ll also need to submit:

a map of the site

any other documents that directly support your appeal, for example your grounds of appeal

If you think your land or building is now lawful because the time limit for enforcement has passed, you also need to submit evidence like:

dated photographs of the site

letters from neighbours

receipts or invoices for work

plans and drawings

You can upload these documents or pictures of these documents when you appeal.

Comment on an appeal

Anyone can comment on a lawful development certificate appeal. Find the case on the appeals casework portal. The deadline for comments is 6 weeks after the start date of the appeal.

Your local planning authority must tell anyone who has commented on the application (‘interested parties’) that there’s an appeal. The local planning authority has to do this within 2 weeks of the appeal being validated by the Planning Inspectorate.

If there’s going to be an inquiry, interested parties can apply to have ‘rule 6 status’, which means they’ll play a much bigger part. For example, they can call witnesses and give evidence.

Read the detailed guidance about taking part in an appeal.

After you appeal

The Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal to make sure it’s valid. They’ll tell you what happens next and how long your appeal may take.

The Planning Inspectorate will then consider your appeal. Check how long planning appeal decisions normally take.

If anyone behaves unreasonably

You can apply for an ‘award of costs’ if anyone involved in your appeal has cost you money by behaving unreasonably, for example missing deadlines. You can have costs awarded against you too.

You can complain about how the Planning Inspectorate handled your appeal. There’s no time limit for complaints.

If you disagree with the appeal decision

You can challenge the decision in the High Court if you think the Planning Inspectorate made a legal mistake.

Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.

When you can appeal

You can appeal against a lawful development certificate decision if either:

you disagree with it

There’s no fee for appealing.

Deadline for appealing

When you can expect a decision

You’ll get a decision once your appeal is validated.

Check how long appeal decisions normally take.

How to appeal

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit copies of:

your original application

all plans, drawings and documents you sent to the local planning authority

any letters or emails between you and the local planning authority

You’ll also need to submit:

a map of the site

dated photographs of the site

letters from neighbours

receipts or invoices for work

plans and drawings

Comment on an appeal

Read the detailed guidance about taking part in an appeal.

After you appeal

If anyone behaves unreasonably

If you disagree with the appeal decision

Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.

When you can appeal

You can appeal against a lawful development certificate decision if either:

you disagree with it

There’s no fee for appealing.

Deadline for appealing

When you can expect a decision

You’ll get a decision once your appeal is validated.

Check how long appeal decisions normally take.

How to appeal

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit copies of:

your original application

all plans, drawings and documents you sent to the local planning authority

any letters or emails between you and the local planning authority

You’ll also need to submit:

a map of the site

dated photographs of the site

letters from neighbours

receipts or invoices for work

plans and drawings

Comment on an appeal

Read the detailed guidance about taking part in an appeal.

After you appeal

If anyone behaves unreasonably

If you disagree with the appeal decision

Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.


My father has received an enforcement letter from the local authority because he built a new extension of his kitchen without planning permission. The land is his property. Can he appeal?

Your local planning authority may send you an enforcement notice if you’ve built or changed something without planning permission.

Appeal an enforcement notice

When you can appeal

You can appeal against an enforcement notice if you own, rent or lawfully occupy the property or land it applies to.

Anyone can comment on an appeal.

There’s no fee for appealing, unless you also apply for planning permission.

Deadline for appealing

Your appeal must be received before the date the enforcement notice takes effect.

When you can expect a decision

You’ll get a decision once your appeal is validated.

How to appeal

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you cannot currently appeal by post. You can still appeal to the Planning Inspectorate online.

If you want to appeal more than one enforcement notice you must make a separate appeal for each. Each person should appeal separately.

You also need to send a copy of your appeal, including all the supporting documents, to your local planning authority. The Planning Inspectorate will tell you how to do this.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit:

a copy of your enforcement notice

a plan (if there is one)

any other documents that directly support your appeal, for example your grounds for appeal

You can upload these documents when you appeal.

Comment on an appeal

Anyone can comment on an enforcement notice appeal. Find the case on the appeals casework portal.

The deadline for comments is 6 weeks after the start date of the appeal.

Read the detailed guidance about taking part in an appeal.

After you appeal

The Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal to make sure it’s valid. They’ll tell you the start date, what happens next and how long your appeal may take.

The Planning Inspectorate will then consider your appeal. Check how long planning appeal decisions normally take.

If anyone behaves unreasonably

You can apply for an ‘award of costs’ if anyone involved in your appeal has cost you money by behaving unreasonably, for example missing deadlines. You can have costs awarded against you too.

You can complain about how the Planning Inspectorate handled your appeal. There’s no time limit for complaints.

If you disagree with the appeal decision

You can challenge the decision in the High Court if you think the Planning Inspectorate made a legal mistake.

Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.

Appeal an enforcement notice

When you can appeal

Anyone can comment on an appeal.

Deadline for appealing

When you can expect a decision

How to appeal

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to submit:

a copy of your enforcement notice

a plan (if there is one)

Comment on an appeal

After you appeal

If anyone behaves unreasonably


I recently turned 19 and will be continuing on the last year of my software engineering course. I started the course 2 years ago after a friend's work in the field inspired me to follow in his footsteps. Am I eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary under these conditions?

You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Overview

studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university

on a training course, including unpaid work experience

A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.

There’s a different scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you’re 19 and over

You could also get a bursary if you either:

are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

What a bursary is for

A bursary is money that you, or your education or training provider, can use to pay for things like:

clothing, books and other equipment for your course

transport and lunch on days you study or train

What you'll get

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:

a bursary for students in vulnerable groups

a discretionary bursary

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances and benefits.

Discretionary bursary

You could get a discretionary bursary if you need financial help but do not qualify for a bursary for students in vulnerable groups. Your education or training provider decides how much you get and what it’s used for.

If you’re over 19, you’ll only be eligible for a discretionary bursary.

Your provider will decide how you get your bursary. You might get:

an instalment paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer

things like a travel pass, free meals or books

Some providers also offer one-off payments to cover study trips or travel for university interviews.

Your provider could stop payments if you break their rules, for example about attendance or how your bursary is used.

Eligibility

You must:

be at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August 2021

study at a publicly funded school or college, or be on an unpaid training course

meet the residency requirements - your school or college can check this

You may be able to get a bursary if at least one of the following applies:

you’re in or you recently left local authority care

you get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself

you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit

you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit

The amount you may get depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This might include money for books, equipment or travel costs to school or college.

Discretionary bursary

Your school or college will have their own criteria for discretionary bursaries. They’ll look at your individual circumstances - this usually includes your family income.

Ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you’ll need.

You can apply to a discretionary bursary if you’re over 19 and either:

continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ‘19+ continuer’)

have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

How to claim

Apply to your school, college or training provider. Ask student services or your tutor to explain what you need to do.

When to apply

Apply once you know where you’ll study or train, so you’ll get your bursary as soon as possible.

You might need to reapply for a bursary for each year of your course. Check with your provider.

Help

Your tutor or student services can help you decide if you’re eligible for a bursary and explain how to apply.

Contact the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) if your tutor or student services cannot answer your question.

You think a decision is unfair

Speak to student services if you’re unhappy with a decision. Follow their complaints process if you cannot resolve the problem.

Emergencies and hardship

You might be able to get more support if your circumstances change or you have an emergency. Your provider might also have a separate hardship fund. Speak to student services if you need extra help.

on a training course, including unpaid work experience

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Overview

studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university

A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.

There’s a different scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you’re 19 and over

You could also get a bursary if you either:

are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

What a bursary is for

clothing, books and other equipment for your course

transport and lunch on days you study or train

What you'll get

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:

a bursary for students in vulnerable groups

a discretionary bursary

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances and benefits.

Discretionary bursary

If you’re over 19, you’ll only be eligible for a discretionary bursary.

Your provider will decide how you get your bursary. You might get:

an instalment paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer

things like a travel pass, free meals or books

Eligibility

You must:

be at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August 2021

study at a publicly funded school or college, or be on an unpaid training course

meet the residency requirements - your school or college can check this

You may be able to get a bursary if at least one of the following applies:

you’re in or you recently left local authority care

you get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself

Discretionary bursary

Ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you’ll need.

You can apply to a discretionary bursary if you’re over 19 and either:

continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ‘19+ continuer’)

have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

How to claim

When to apply

Help

You think a decision is unfair

Emergencies and hardship

You could also get a bursary if you either:

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Overview

You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:

studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university

on a training course, including unpaid work experience

A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.

There’s a different scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you’re 19 and over

are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

What a bursary is for

clothing, books and other equipment for your course

transport and lunch on days you study or train

What you'll get

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:

a bursary for students in vulnerable groups

a discretionary bursary

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances and benefits.

Discretionary bursary

If you’re over 19, you’ll only be eligible for a discretionary bursary.

Your provider will decide how you get your bursary. You might get:

an instalment paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer

things like a travel pass, free meals or books

Eligibility

You must:

be at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August 2021

study at a publicly funded school or college, or be on an unpaid training course

meet the residency requirements - your school or college can check this

You may be able to get a bursary if at least one of the following applies:

you’re in or you recently left local authority care

you get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself

Discretionary bursary

Ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you’ll need.

You can apply to a discretionary bursary if you’re over 19 and either:

continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ‘19+ continuer’)

have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

How to claim

When to apply

Help

You think a decision is unfair

Emergencies and hardship

are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Overview

You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:

studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university

on a training course, including unpaid work experience

A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.

There’s a different scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you’re 19 and over

You could also get a bursary if you either:

What a bursary is for

clothing, books and other equipment for your course

transport and lunch on days you study or train

What you'll get

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:

a bursary for students in vulnerable groups

a discretionary bursary

Bursary for students in vulnerable groups

You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances and benefits.

Discretionary bursary

If you’re over 19, you’ll only be eligible for a discretionary bursary.

Your provider will decide how you get your bursary. You might get:

an instalment paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer

things like a travel pass, free meals or books

Eligibility

You must:

be at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August 2021

study at a publicly funded school or college, or be on an unpaid training course

meet the residency requirements - your school or college can check this

You may be able to get a bursary if at least one of the following applies:

you’re in or you recently left local authority care

you get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself

Discretionary bursary

Ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you’ll need.

You can apply to a discretionary bursary if you’re over 19 and either:

continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ‘19+ continuer’)

have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

How to claim

When to apply

Help

You think a decision is unfair

Emergencies and hardship


I have recently resigned from my full time job at a local boutique. I was told I had nine days of holiday pay due to me and I would have that added to my final pay packet. I feel that I have been underpaid, but I am not totally confident of that. Who should I talk to to find out if I have been cheated without having to confront my employer?

You can get help to calculate a week’s pay from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.

Understanding your pay

Overview

When you start work, your employer should tell you how much you’ll be paid and how often. They should also tell you:

the day or date you’ll be paid, for example each Friday or the last day of the month

how you’ll be paid, for example cash, cheque or bank transfer

If you’re an employee or ‘worker’ (not a contractor or freelancer), you have the right to a payslip, which shows:

your earnings before and after any deductions

the amount of any deductions that may change each time you’re paid, for example tax and National Insurance

the number of hours you worked, if your pay varies depending on time worked

You might need to know how to work out your weekly pay if you have to claim payments for redundancy or compensation from your employer.

Part-time workers

If you’re a part-time worker, you must get at least the same hourly pay rate as a full-time worker doing a similar job.

Working out your pay

Knowing how to work out your weekly pay is important because it’s used to work out how much you should get for:

redundancy pay and pay during time off for job-hunting if you’re made redundant

pay during your notice period when leaving a job

holiday pay

guarantee pay for work - you get this if your employer cannot provide you with work, but your contract says they have to pay you anyway

compensation awarded by Employment Tribunals

What you’re entitled to depends on your work status.

You do not need to calculate your weekly pay, if you’re paid weekly and your pay does not vary.

If your pay varies or you’re not paid weekly, you have to use a 12-week period for working it out.

The 12-week period

You can work out your weekly pay by getting an average figure for a 12-week period. The particular 12 weeks you use varies depending on what you’re calculating your pay for.

Redundancy

Use the 12 weeks up to the day you got your redundancy notice to work out your pay.

Notice pay

Use the 12 weeks up to the first day of the notice period to work out what your notice pay should be.

Paid annual leave

Work this out using the 12 weeks leading up to your holiday.

Guarantee payments

Use the 12 weeks leading up to when your payment is due. If you no longer work for that employer, use the last 12 weeks of your employment with them.

If you’ve worked for your employer for less than 12 weeks, you should be allowed to calculate your average weekly pay using:

the number of hours you would have worked

the hours of other workers doing a similar job for your employer

Working out your weekly figure

Add up the total amount of pay for the period and divide it by 12 to get the weekly figure. You do this even if you’ve had to use a period of more than 12 weeks.

You can also include bonuses.

Overtime

You can include overtime in your calculations if your contract says your employer has to pay it.

Work done for a previous employer

You can include pay for work done for a previous employer if you’re calculating your average weekly pay and you did not have a gap in employment when you changed jobs.

Get help with the calculations

You can get help to calculate a week’s pay from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.

Pay calculations if you work shifts or get bonuses

If your pay or working hours vary from week to week, the calculations for working out your weekly pay are more complicated.

Bonuses and commission

Your pay could vary depending on the amount of work you do, because of:

bonuses

commission

‘piece work’ - you’re paid by the amount of work you do, rather than by the hour

The 12-week period

If you get bonuses, commission or piece work, you’ll need to work out your average hourly rate over a 12-week period to work out your weekly pay.

Add up your total pay for the 12 weeks first. You can include overtime and bonuses. There are special calculations for bonuses.

Quarterly bonuses

You can include a proportion of your quarterly bonuses in your calculations.

Divide the bonus amount by 13 (the number of weeks in a quarter of a year).

Multiply this figure by 12 (the number of weeks your pay is averaged across).

Annual bonuses

If you get an annual bonus here’s what you need to do.

Divide the bonus amount by 52 (the number of weeks in a year).

Multiply this by 12.

Hourly rate

Work out the average hourly rate by dividing the total amount you earned in 12-week period by the number of hours you worked.

Weekly rate

Multiply your hourly rate by the average number of hours you worked each week in the 12-week period, to get your weekly rate.

Shift or rota work

Your week’s pay will be the average number of hours you work at an average pay rate over a 12-week period.

Get help with the calculations

Performance-related pay

Your employer should base your performance-related pay on clear, measurable targets - they should tell you about these.

There are 2 main types of performance pay:

short-term schemes, like bonus payments or sales commission

long-term schemes, like company shares

Non-payment of bonuses or commission

If you do not get a bonus or commission you’re owed and you think there’s been a mistake:

speak to your employer to see if there’s been a misunderstanding

ask them set out in writing how they’ve calculated your pay

keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings

If a bonus or commission is included in your contract, non-payment is a breach of contract. You can get help with making a complaint.

Non-payment of bonuses may also be covered legally under:

unlawful deductions from wages - for example, you’re entitled to payment but it has not been given

unlawful discrimination - your employer must not discriminate against particular groups, for example giving smaller bonuses to women

You can get advice from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), Citizens Advice or your trade union representative.

Deductions from your pay

Your employer is not allowed to make deductions unless:

it’s required or allowed by law, for example National Insurance, income tax or student loan repayments

you agree in writing

your contract says they can

there’s a statutory payment due to a public authority

you have not worked due to taking part in a strike or industrial action

there’s been an earlier overpayment of wages or expenses

it’s a result of a court order

A deduction cannot normally reduce your pay below the National Minimum Wage even if you agree to it, except if the deduction is for:

tax or National Insurance

something you’ve done and your contract says you’re liable for it, for example a shortfall in your till if you work in a shop

repayment of a loan or advance of wages

repayment of an accidental overpayment of wages

buying shares or share options in the business

accommodation provided by your employer

your own use, for example union subscriptions or pension contributions

If you work in retail - for example shops, restaurants

Your employer cannot take more than 10% from your gross pay (pay before tax and National Insurance) each pay period to cover any shortfalls.

If you have not been paid in full

Speak to your employer first to try to sort out the problem informally.

If this does not work, talk to Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), Citizens Advice or your trade union representative.

You have the right to go to an Employment Tribunal to get your money.

If you leave your job

Check your contract to see if your employer is allowed to withhold your pay. Normally you’re entitled to be paid everything you’ve earned up to the point you finish.

If you’re forced to resign because your employer refuses to pay you, you may be able to make a constructive dismissal claim in an Employment Tribunal.

Understanding your pay

Overview

When you start work, your employer should tell you how much you’ll be paid and how often. They should also tell you:

the day or date you’ll be paid, for example each Friday or the last day of the month

how you’ll be paid, for example cash, cheque or bank transfer

If you’re an employee or ‘worker’ (not a contractor or freelancer), you have the right to a payslip, which shows:

your earnings before and after any deductions

the amount of any deductions that may change each time you’re paid, for example tax and National Insurance

the number of hours you worked, if your pay varies depending on time worked

Part-time workers

If you’re a part-time worker, you must get at least the same hourly pay rate as a full-time worker doing a similar job.

Working out your pay

Knowing how to work out your weekly pay is important because it’s used to work out how much you should get for:

redundancy pay and pay during time off for job-hunting if you’re made redundant

pay during your notice period when leaving a job

holiday pay

compensation awarded by Employment Tribunals

What you’re entitled to depends on your work status.

You do not need to calculate your weekly pay, if you’re paid weekly and your pay does not vary.

If your pay varies or you’re not paid weekly, you have to use a 12-week period for working it out.

The 12-week period

Redundancy

Use the 12 weeks up to the day you got your redundancy notice to work out your pay.

Notice pay

Use the 12 weeks up to the first day of the notice period to work out what your notice pay should be.

Paid annual leave

Work this out using the 12 weeks leading up to your holiday.

Guarantee payments

If you’ve worked for your employer for less than 12 weeks, you should be allowed to calculate your average weekly pay using:

the number of hours you would have worked

the hours of other workers doing a similar job for your employer

Working out your weekly figure

You can also include bonuses.

Overtime

You can include overtime in your calculations if your contract says your employer has to pay it.

Work done for a previous employer

Get help with the calculations

You can get help to calculate a week’s pay from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.

Pay calculations if you work shifts or get bonuses

If your pay or working hours vary from week to week, the calculations for working out your weekly pay are more complicated.

Bonuses and commission

Your pay could vary depending on the amount of work you do, because of:

bonuses

commission

‘piece work’ - you’re paid by the amount of work you do, rather than by the hour

The 12-week period

Quarterly bonuses

You can include a proportion of your quarterly bonuses in your calculations.

Divide the bonus amount by 13 (the number of weeks in a quarter of a year).

Multiply this figure by 12 (the number of weeks your pay is averaged across).

Annual bonuses

If you get an annual bonus here’s what you need to do.

Divide the bonus amount by 52 (the number of weeks in a year).

Multiply this by 12.

Hourly rate

Work out the average hourly rate by dividing the total amount you earned in 12-week period by the number of hours you worked.

Weekly rate

Multiply your hourly rate by the average number of hours you worked each week in the 12-week period, to get your weekly rate.

Shift or rota work

Your week’s pay will be the average number of hours you work at an average pay rate over a 12-week period.

Get help with the calculations

Performance-related pay

Your employer should base your performance-related pay on clear, measurable targets - they should tell you about these.

There are 2 main types of performance pay:

short-term schemes, like bonus payments or sales commission

long-term schemes, like company shares

Non-payment of bonuses or commission

If you do not get a bonus or commission you’re owed and you think there’s been a mistake:

speak to your employer to see if there’s been a misunderstanding

ask them set out in writing how they’ve calculated your pay

keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings

Non-payment of bonuses may also be covered legally under:

unlawful deductions from wages - for example, you’re entitled to payment but it has not been given

Deductions from your pay

Your employer is not allowed to make deductions unless:

it’s required or allowed by law, for example National Insurance, income tax or student loan repayments

you agree in writing

your contract says they can

there’s a statutory payment due to a public authority

you have not worked due to taking part in a strike or industrial action

there’s been an earlier overpayment of wages or expenses

it’s a result of a court order

tax or National Insurance

something you’ve done and your contract says you’re liable for it, for example a shortfall in your till if you work in a shop

repayment of a loan or advance of wages

repayment of an accidental overpayment of wages

buying shares or share options in the business

accommodation provided by your employer

your own use, for example union subscriptions or pension contributions

If you work in retail - for example shops, restaurants

If you have not been paid in full

Speak to your employer first to try to sort out the problem informally.

You have the right to go to an Employment Tribunal to get your money.

If you leave your job

Understanding your pay

Overview

When you start work, your employer should tell you how much you’ll be paid and how often. They should also tell you:

the day or date you’ll be paid, for example each Friday or the last day of the month

how you’ll be paid, for example cash, cheque or bank transfer

If you’re an employee or ‘worker’ (not a contractor or freelancer), you have the right to a payslip, which shows:

your earnings before and after any deductions

the amount of any deductions that may change each time you’re paid, for example tax and National Insurance

the number of hours you worked, if your pay varies depending on time worked

Part-time workers

If you’re a part-time worker, you must get at least the same hourly pay rate as a full-time worker doing a similar job.

Working out your pay

Knowing how to work out your weekly pay is important because it’s used to work out how much you should get for:

redundancy pay and pay during time off for job-hunting if you’re made redundant

pay during your notice period when leaving a job

holiday pay

compensation awarded by Employment Tribunals

What you’re entitled to depends on your work status.

You do not need to calculate your weekly pay, if you’re paid weekly and your pay does not vary.

If your pay varies or you’re not paid weekly, you have to use a 12-week period for working it out.

The 12-week period

Redundancy

Use the 12 weeks up to the day you got your redundancy notice to work out your pay.

Notice pay

Use the 12 weeks up to the first day of the notice period to work out what your notice pay should be.

Paid annual leave

Work this out using the 12 weeks leading up to your holiday.

Guarantee payments

If you’ve worked for your employer for less than 12 weeks, you should be allowed to calculate your average weekly pay using:

the number of hours you would have worked

the hours of other workers doing a similar job for your employer

Working out your weekly figure

You can also include bonuses.

Overtime

You can include overtime in your calculations if your contract says your employer has to pay it.

Work done for a previous employer

Get help with the calculations

You can get help to calculate a week’s pay from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.

Pay calculations if you work shifts or get bonuses

If your pay or working hours vary from week to week, the calculations for working out your weekly pay are more complicated.

Bonuses and commission

Your pay could vary depending on the amount of work you do, because of:

bonuses

commission

‘piece work’ - you’re paid by the amount of work you do, rather than by the hour

The 12-week period

Quarterly bonuses

You can include a proportion of your quarterly bonuses in your calculations.

Divide the bonus amount by 13 (the number of weeks in a quarter of a year).

Multiply this figure by 12 (the number of weeks your pay is averaged across).

Annual bonuses

If you get an annual bonus here’s what you need to do.

Divide the bonus amount by 52 (the number of weeks in a year).

Multiply this by 12.

Hourly rate

Work out the average hourly rate by dividing the total amount you earned in 12-week period by the number of hours you worked.

Weekly rate

Multiply your hourly rate by the average number of hours you worked each week in the 12-week period, to get your weekly rate.

Shift or rota work

Your week’s pay will be the average number of hours you work at an average pay rate over a 12-week period.

Get help with the calculations

Performance-related pay

Your employer should base your performance-related pay on clear, measurable targets - they should tell you about these.

There are 2 main types of performance pay:

short-term schemes, like bonus payments or sales commission

long-term schemes, like company shares

Non-payment of bonuses or commission

If you do not get a bonus or commission you’re owed and you think there’s been a mistake:

speak to your employer to see if there’s been a misunderstanding

ask them set out in writing how they’ve calculated your pay

keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings

Non-payment of bonuses may also be covered legally under:

unlawful deductions from wages - for example, you’re entitled to payment but it has not been given

Deductions from your pay

Your employer is not allowed to make deductions unless:

it’s required or allowed by law, for example National Insurance, income tax or student loan repayments

you agree in writing

your contract says they can

there’s a statutory payment due to a public authority

you have not worked due to taking part in a strike or industrial action

there’s been an earlier overpayment of wages or expenses

it’s a result of a court order

tax or National Insurance

something you’ve done and your contract says you’re liable for it, for example a shortfall in your till if you work in a shop

repayment of a loan or advance of wages

repayment of an accidental overpayment of wages

buying shares or share options in the business

accommodation provided by your employer

your own use, for example union subscriptions or pension contributions

If you work in retail - for example shops, restaurants

If you have not been paid in full

Speak to your employer first to try to sort out the problem informally.

You have the right to go to an Employment Tribunal to get your money.

If you leave your job

Understanding your pay

Overview

When you start work, your employer should tell you how much you’ll be paid and how often. They should also tell you:

the day or date you’ll be paid, for example each Friday or the last day of the month

how you’ll be paid, for example cash, cheque or bank transfer

If you’re an employee or ‘worker’ (not a contractor or freelancer), you have the right to a payslip, which shows:

your earnings before and after any deductions

the amount of any deductions that may change each time you’re paid, for example tax and National Insurance

the number of hours you worked, if your pay varies depending on time worked

Part-time workers

If you’re a part-time worker, you must get at least the same hourly pay rate as a full-time worker doing a similar job.

Working out your pay

Knowing how to work out your weekly pay is important because it’s used to work out how much you should get for:

redundancy pay and pay during time off for job-hunting if you’re made redundant

pay during your notice period when leaving a job

holiday pay

compensation awarded by Employment Tribunals

What you’re entitled to depends on your work status.

You do not need to calculate your weekly pay, if you’re paid weekly and your pay does not vary.

If your pay varies or you’re not paid weekly, you have to use a 12-week period for working it out.

The 12-week period

Redundancy

Use the 12 weeks up to the day you got your redundancy notice to work out your pay.

Notice pay

Use the 12 weeks up to the first day of the notice period to work out what your notice pay should be.

Paid annual leave

Work this out using the 12 weeks leading up to your holiday.

Guarantee payments

If you’ve worked for your employer for less than 12 weeks, you should be allowed to calculate your average weekly pay using:

the number of hours you would have worked

the hours of other workers doing a similar job for your employer

Working out your weekly figure

You can also include bonuses.

Overtime

You can include overtime in your calculations if your contract says your employer has to pay it.

Work done for a previous employer

Get help with the calculations

You can get help to calculate a week’s pay from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.

Pay calculations if you work shifts or get bonuses

If your pay or working hours vary from week to week, the calculations for working out your weekly pay are more complicated.

Bonuses and commission

Your pay could vary depending on the amount of work you do, because of:

bonuses

commission

‘piece work’ - you’re paid by the amount of work you do, rather than by the hour

The 12-week period

Quarterly bonuses

You can include a proportion of your quarterly bonuses in your calculations.

Divide the bonus amount by 13 (the number of weeks in a quarter of a year).

Multiply this figure by 12 (the number of weeks your pay is averaged across).

Annual bonuses

If you get an annual bonus here’s what you need to do.

Divide the bonus amount by 52 (the number of weeks in a year).

Multiply this by 12.

Hourly rate

Work out the average hourly rate by dividing the total amount you earned in 12-week period by the number of hours you worked.

Weekly rate

Multiply your hourly rate by the average number of hours you worked each week in the 12-week period, to get your weekly rate.

Shift or rota work

Your week’s pay will be the average number of hours you work at an average pay rate over a 12-week period.

Get help with the calculations

Performance-related pay

Your employer should base your performance-related pay on clear, measurable targets - they should tell you about these.

There are 2 main types of performance pay:

short-term schemes, like bonus payments or sales commission

long-term schemes, like company shares

Non-payment of bonuses or commission

If you do not get a bonus or commission you’re owed and you think there’s been a mistake:

speak to your employer to see if there’s been a misunderstanding

ask them set out in writing how they’ve calculated your pay

keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings

Non-payment of bonuses may also be covered legally under:

unlawful deductions from wages - for example, you’re entitled to payment but it has not been given

Deductions from your pay

Your employer is not allowed to make deductions unless:

it’s required or allowed by law, for example National Insurance, income tax or student loan repayments

you agree in writing

your contract says they can

there’s a statutory payment due to a public authority

you have not worked due to taking part in a strike or industrial action

there’s been an earlier overpayment of wages or expenses

it’s a result of a court order

tax or National Insurance

something you’ve done and your contract says you’re liable for it, for example a shortfall in your till if you work in a shop

repayment of a loan or advance of wages

repayment of an accidental overpayment of wages

buying shares or share options in the business

accommodation provided by your employer

your own use, for example union subscriptions or pension contributions

If you work in retail - for example shops, restaurants

If you have not been paid in full

Speak to your employer first to try to sort out the problem informally.

You have the right to go to an Employment Tribunal to get your money.

If you leave your job