First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on the fair market rent for an assured periodic tenancy. They set the rent at £800 per month, effective from 14 September 2024, after reviewing comparable evidence and the condition of the property.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a fair market rent determination under the Housing Act 1988.
📖 What the law says
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 a fair market rent based on what a willing landlord would charge for a similar property under an assured tenancy.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined a fair market rent for an assured periodic tenancy.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined a fair market rent of £800 per month for an assured periodic tenancy, effective from 14 September 2024. The Tribunal considered comparable evidence and the condition of the property to reach this decision.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HAV/00MS/MNR/2024/0502
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 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]
Landlord [RESPONDENT] [COMPANY], 142 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Tenant Ms [APPELLANT]
1. The rent is: £ 800.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)
2. The date the decision takes effect is: 14 September 2024
*3. The amount included for services is/is
negligible/not applicable n/a Per n/a
*4. Service charges are not included
5. Date assured tenancy commenced 14 April 2017
6. Length of the term or rental period Monthly
7. Allocation of liability for repairs Landlord
8. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord
9. Description of premises Second floor 1-bedroom flat with parking space
[NAME] of Decision 21 October 2024
© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024
FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : HAV/00MS/MNR/2024/0502 Property : [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Tenant : Ms [COUNSEL] :
None
Landlord : Ms [COUNSEL] : [RESPONDENT] of Application :
Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988
Tribunal Members : Mr [NAME] Mr [NAME] of Application : 13th August 2024 Date of Summary Reasons :
21st October 2024
DECISION
The Tribunal determines a rent of £800 per calendar month with effect from 14th September 2024.
HAV/00MS/MNR/2024/0502
2
SUMMARY REASONS
Background 1. On 13th August 2024 the Landlord’s Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £850 per month in place of the existing rent of £725 per month to take effect from 14th September 2024.
2. On the same date under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant referred the Landlord’s notice proposing a new rent to the Tribunal for determination of a market rent. Inspection 3. The Tribunal did not inspect the property but considered this case based on the papers provided by the parties and information freely available on the internet. Evidence
4. The Tribunal has considered the written submissions provided by the Parties. Determination and Valuation 5. Having given consideration to the comparable evidence provided by the parties and of its own expert, general knowledge of rental values in the area, the Tribunal determines that the open market rent for the property in good tenable condition would be in the region of £850 per calendar month.
6. Such a tenancy would normally include white goods, carpets and curtains/blinds to all be provided by the Landlord.
7. In this case the property is not let in such condition or with white goods, carpets and curtains all supplied so some adjustments to the ‘open market rent’ are necessary. In particular the Tribunal has made the adjustments for Tenant’s provision of fridge and condition of carpets.
8. The full valuation is shown below: Full open market rent in good condition £850 Less deductions for:- Tenant’s provision of fridge
£10
Age and condition of carpets
£40
____ TOTAL RENT PAYABLE PER MONTH
£800
9. The Tribunal therefore decided that the rent at which the subject property might reasonably be expected to be let in the open market by a willing Landlord under the terms of this assured tenancy was £800 per month.
HAV/00MS/MNR/2024/0502
3 10. The Tenant made no representation that the starting date for the new rent specified in the Landlord’s notice would cause the Tenant undue hardship. 11. Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £800 per month should take effect from 14th September 2024, this being the date specified in the notice.
APPEAL PROVISIONS
These summary reasons are provided to give the parties an indication as to how the Tribunal made its decision. If either party wishes to appeal this decision, they should first make a request for full reasons and the details of how to appeal will be set out in the full reasons. Ay request for full reasons should be made within a month. Any subsequent application for permission to appeal should be made on Form RP PTA.
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Tenant
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Rent at £1,350
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Market Rent Determination for Retirement Living Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Market Rent Determination for Assured Periodic Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Tenancy: Open Market Value Adjusted
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Market Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Tenancy - First-tier Tribunal Decision
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Market Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Rent for Assured Tenancy
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 Tribunal determined that the open market rent for the property in good condition would be £850 per month.
- The Tribunal reduced the rent by £10 because the tenant provided the fridge.
- The Tribunal reduced the rent by £40 due to the age and condition of the carpets.
- The new rent takes effect from the date specified in the landlord's notice because the tenant did not claim hardship.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The decision set the fair market rent for an assured periodic tenancy at £800 per month.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved in the dispute over the rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court reviewed comparable evidence and the condition of the property to determine the fair market rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Housing Act 1988 was applied to determine the fair market rent.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the comparable evidence and the condition of the property.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant, setting the rent at a fair market rate.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should consider comparable evidence and the condition of their property when disputing rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Comparable evidence and the condition of the property were important in making the decision.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions like this can be appealed through the appropriate legal channels.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent determination.
