First-tier Tribunal Increases Rent to £725 Per Month

OUTCOME: Allowed

MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HAV/29UN/MNR/2024/0647

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] [NAME] Judge Rai

Landlord [NAME] c/o [NAME], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

Tenant Ms [APPELLANT] and Mr [APPELLANT]

1. The rent is: £ 725.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)

2. The date the decision takes effect is: 10 December 2024

3. The amount included for services is not applicable n/a Per n/a

4. Date assured tenancy commenced 10 May 2018

5. Length of the term or rental period Monthly

6. Allocation of liability for repairs Landlord

7. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord

8. Description of premises 2-bedroom first floor flat

[NAME] of Decision 10 February 2025

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2025

FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : HAV/29UN/MNR/2024/0647 Property : [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Applicant Tenant : Ms [COUNSEL] and [NAME] :

None

Respondent Landlords : [NAME] : [NAME] of Application :

Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988

Tribunal Members : [NAME] [NAME] Judge C Rai Date of Application : 12th November 2024 Date of Decision :

10th February 2025

DECISION

The Tribunal determines a rent of £725 per calendar month with effect from 10th December 2024.

HAV/29UN/MNR/2024/0647 2

SUMMARY REASONS

Background 1. On 4th November 2024 the Landlords’ Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £725 per month in place of the existing rent of £700 per month to take effect from 10th December 2024.

2. On 12th November 2024 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenants 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 9th December 2024. 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. There were written submissions from the Tenant, but nothing received from the Landlord. Determination and Valuation 5. The Tribunal was provided with no evidence as to comparable rents in the area and could only rely on its own experience and knowledge.

6. The rent of £700 per month had been agreed between the parties for the previous rental period. In the circumstances the Tribunal considered that an increase of £25 per month for the rent was in line with general rental market increases and the new rent was in line with other properties advertised to rent in the area, and as such determined that the new rent of £725 per month might reasonably be expected to be agreed between a willing landlord and tenant.

7. 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.

8.

Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £725 per month should take effect from 10th December 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. 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.