First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Tenant
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on a fair market rent for a tenant's flat in Bournemouth. The rent was set at £1340.00 per month, effective from July 1, 2024.
⚖️ 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 with an assured tenancy to apply to a tribunal to challenge the rent payable under their 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 the market rent for a two-bedroom flat in Bournemouth.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined a fair market rent of £1340.00 per month for a two-bedroom flat in Bournemouth, following a challenge by the tenant to a proposed rent increase.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. CHI/00HN/MNR/2024/0152
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]
Mr R [NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT] [NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]
[RESPONDENT], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The rent is: £ £1340.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)
2. The date the decision takes effect is: 1 July 2024
3. The amount included for services is not applicable n/a Per n/a
4. Date assured tenancy commenced 12 December 2022
5. Length of the term or rental period 6 months
6. Allocation of liability for repairs Landlord
7. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord n/a
8. Description of premises 2 bedroom flat on first floor of purpose-built block.
[NAME] of Decision 19 August 2024
1
Case Reference
: CHI/00HN/MNR/2024/0152
Property : [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Tenant
: [APPELLANT]
Landlord : [APPELLANT] of Objection : 17 June 2024
Type of Application : Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988
Tribunal
: [NAME] [NAME] [NAME] [NAME] of Summary Reasons
: 19 August 2024
_______________________________________________
DECISION
The Tribunal determines a rent of £1340.00 per calendar month with effect from 1 July 2024. ____________________________________ FIRST - TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)
2
© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024
SUMMARY REASONS
Background 1. On 24 May 2024 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £ 1340.00 in place of the existing rent of £ 1200.00 per month to take effect from 1 July 2024.
2. On 17 June 2024 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. The Tenant’s referral was received by the Tribunal on 17 June 2024.
Inspection 3. The Tribunal did not inspect the property but considered this case on the basis of the papers provided by the parties.
Evidence 4. The Tribunal has considered of the written submissions provided by the Tenant and the Landlord. These stated the property is a two-bedroom first floor flat in a modern block of mixed units.
Determination and Valuation 5. Having considered the comparable evidence provided by the parties and our own expert general knowledge of rental values in the area, we consider that the open market rent for the property in its current good condition would be in the region of £1340.00 per calendar month. From this level of rent we have made no adjustments.
6. The Tribunal determines a rent of £1340.00 per calendar month.
Decision 7. The Tribunal therefore determined that the rent at which the subject property might reasonably be expected to be let in the open market by a willing Landlord under an assured tenancy was £1340.00 per calendar month.
8. The Tribunal directs the new rent of £1340.00 per month to take effect on 1 July 2024. This being the date as set out in the Landlord’s Notice of Increase.
3 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. Any 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 Sets New Market Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Rent of £2,200 Per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Market Rent of £1,800 for Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Market Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent Due to Health and Safety Issues
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent Due to Health and Safety Issues
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Market Rent Set at £840 per Month for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets New Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tenant Wins Reduced Rent Due to Damp and Mould Issues
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets 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 the new rent based on its expert knowledge of rental values in the area.
- The Tribunal considered the comparable evidence provided by both parties.
- The Tribunal found that the property was in good condition.
- The Tribunal determined the rent to be £1340.00 per calendar month.
- The new rent will take effect from 1 July 2024, as stated in the landlord's notice.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tribunal set the market rent for the flat at £1340.00 per month.
Who was involved?
The tenant challenged a proposed rent increase by the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court reviewed the evidence and determined the fair market rent based on comparable properties in the area.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Housing Act 1988 was applied to determine the market rent.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument centered around the fair market value of the property.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was in favour of the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a rent increase can challenge it through the First-tier Tribunal.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Written submissions from both the tenant and the landlord were considered.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can be appealed to a higher court.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is recommended to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
