Section 20 Consultation Timeline Calculator

This calculator generates the statutory minimum timeline for a Section 20 consultation under the Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003. It covers qualifying works where the cost to any leaseholder exceeds £250.

The two notice stages each carry a "relevant period", which regulation 2 defines as "the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the notice". The date of the notice is day 1, so a period beginning on the date shown ends 29 days later — it is not measured from the date a leaseholder receives the notice. The calculator uses a 21-day estimate for obtaining estimates, which has no statutory minimum; your actual timeline may vary depending on how quickly contractors provide quotes.

Important: This calculator provides the minimum statutory timeline. Build slack into your own planning for postal delays, contractor scheduling and leaseholder responses — but do not extend the deadline you state on a notice to cover it. If you want leaseholders to have longer than the statutory minimum, date and send the notice earlier. Always send notices by recorded delivery or hand-deliver with a signed receipt.