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AllowedFirst-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)·

First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent Due to Tenant's Hardship

Case No.

📌 In brief

The First-tier Tribunal reduced a tenant's rent after recognising their financial difficulties. This decision was made under the Housing Act 1988.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is entitled to a rent adjustment due to financial hardship.

Topics

rent adjustmentfinancial hardship

Provisions

📖 What the law says

Housing Act 1988 s.14

Under the Housing Act 1988, section 14 allows a tenant under an assured tenancy to apply to a tribunal to challenge the rent payable under the tenancy. The tribunal will then determine the rent based on what a willing landlord might expect to receive for letting the property in the open market.

Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.

📖 Technical summary

The Tribunal adjusted the rent for the tenant's financial hardship.

📜 Headnote Official document

The Tribunal adjusted the rent for a tenant experiencing financial hardship, applying the Housing Act 1988.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. MAN/00BN/MNR/2021/0068

Notice of the Tribunal Decision and Register of Rents under Assured Periodic Tenancies (Section 14 Determination)

Housing Act 1988 Section 14

Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 66 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]

[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]

Landlord [RESPONDENT] c/o [RESPONDENT] [NAME] 65-81 St Petersgate, Stockport, [POSTCODE]

Tenant Mr [APPELLANT] & Ms [APPELLANT]

1. The rent is: £610.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)

2. The date the decision takes effect is: 08 August 2022

3. The amount included for services is/is

negligible/not applicable Not applicable Per

4. Date assured tenancy commenced 8 September 2017

5. Length of the term or rental period Monthly

6. Allocation of liability for repairs Schedule 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

7. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord Landlord carpets and floor covering. Unfurnished. Tenants [NAME] goods

8. Description of premises 2 bed small mid terrace with internal bathroom

Tenant attended the hearing. Internal inspection.

New rent to start on 8 August 2022 due to hardship, identified in tenant’s evidence

[NAME] of Decision 15 August 2022

📊 How courts decide similar cases

Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:

Allowed12 cases

A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.

⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this

✅ Tends to be accepted

  • The tenant disputes the rent with their landlord.
  • The rent should be set at a reasonable level based on the open market value.
  • The tenant is entitled to a fair rent determination under the Housing Act 1988.
  • The rent must be determined under the Housing Act 1988.
  • The rent must be assessed according to the Housing Act 1988, excluding specified costs.

Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

The rent for the assured periodic tenancy was set at £610 per month due to the tenant's hardship.

What was the dispute about?

The dispute was over the rent adjustment needed due to the tenant's financial difficulties.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court decided to adjust the rent to £610 per month because the tenant presented evidence of their financial hardship.

Which laws or rules were applied?

The Housing Act 1988, specifically section 14, was applied in this case.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The tenant's evidence of financial hardship was the most important argument in the decision.

Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?

The decision was for the person who brought the case, allowing the rent adjustment.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

Someone facing financial hardship may be able to request a rent adjustment through the First-tier Tribunal.

What evidence or documents mattered?

The tenant's evidence of financial hardship was crucial in the decision.

Official source: First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — headnote and full judgment reproduced from the court's public records. View on the official source ↗Summary, holding, technical summary and questions: produced by Artificial Intelligence based on the official headnote and judgment. These are VadeLab’s own material and are not the work of the Court.This decision was issued by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and is reproduced from its published records. VadeLab is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, that court or tribunal.