
Housing & Tenancy judgments from UK courts and tribunals, with a plain-English summary, the legal holding and frequently asked questions.
The Tribunal fined a landlord for operating an unlicensed HMO and breaching management regulations. Despite arguing ignorance of the licensing requirements, the landlord was found guilty of offenses under the Housing Act 2004.
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on a fair rent for a tenant's property. They set the monthly rent at £680, excluding some costs but including others. The decision also involved calculating the maximum fair rent allowed under the law.
The First-tier Tribunal reviewed the legal fees charged by a landlord for granting new leases to tenants under statutory provisions. It found that the costs were too high and reduced them based on reasonable rates for less senior staff.
In this case, the Tribunal decided on the statutory costs that a tenant must pay to the landlord for granting a new lease. The costs included legal fees, valuation fees, and other expenses. The Tribunal reviewed these costs and adjusted them based on the reasonableness of the charges. The decision was made by the First-tier Tribunal on 26 June 2023.
The First-tier Tribunal allowed landlords to bypass the usual consultation process for entering into long-term energy supply agreements, citing the potential to save money for tenants.
A a person agent of an HMO appealed against a civil penalty notice for operating the property without a necessary licence. While the appeal on liability failed, the tribunal reduced the penalty amount from £10,000 to £5,000 considering various mitigating factors.
The First-tier Tribunal granted an order allowing a landlord to bypass the usual consultation process for urgent fire safety works, ensuring compliance with the HMO Licence conditions. The Tribunal found the works were urgent and necessary, and a person would not suffer relevant prejudice.
The First-tier Tribunal ruled on the applicability of the Mobile Homes Act 1983, determining that mobile home occupants are entitled to certain protections under the Act. This includes implied terms and data protection considerations. Judge Rachel Watkin presided over the case.
The First-tier Tribunal set a market rent of £850 per month for an assured periodic tenancy, taking into account the property's condition and similar rents in the area.