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AllowedFirst-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)·

First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy

Case No.

📌 In brief

The First-tier Tribunal decided on a fair market rent for an assured periodic tenancy, taking into account the property's condition and local rental prices.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is entitled to a rent determination that reflects the open market value adjusted for the property's condition.

Topics

tenancy disputesrent determination

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 would charge for a similar property in the open market. The determination takes into account the property's condition and excludes factors like improvements made by the tenant or reductions due to non-compliance with tenancy terms.

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 Tribunal determined a rent of £920 per month for an assured periodic tenancy, adjusting the open market rent for the property's condition and lack of certain amenities.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HAV/00ML/MNR/2025/0606

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 I Arrow

Landlord [NAME] & [NAME]

Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]

1. The rent is: £ 920.00 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 January 2025

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

4. Date assured tenancy commenced 14 January 2021

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 One bedroom ground floor flat.

[NAME] of Decision 6 March 2025

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2025

FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : HAV/00ML/MNR/2025/0606 Property : [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Applicant Tenant : Mr [COUNSEL] :

None

Respondent Landlords : Mr [COUNSEL] and Ms [COUNSEL] : None Type of Application :

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

Tribunal Members : [NAME] [NAME] Judge I Arrow Date of Application : 10th January 2025 Date of Decision :

6th March 2025

DECISION

The Tribunal determines a rent of £920 per calendar month with effect from 14th January 2025.

HAV/00ML/MNR/2025/0606 2 SUMMARY REASONS

Background 1. On 12th December 2025 the Landlords served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1,050 in place of the existing rent of £850 per month to take effect from 14th January 2025.

2. On 10th January 2025 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant referred the Landlords’ 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 Tenant and the Landlords. 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 tenantable condition would be £1,000 per calendar month.

6. Such a tenancy would normally include white goods, carpets, curtains/blinds and associated fittings 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 addition, the Tribunal has made the adjustments for penetrating damp and dated electrics.

8. The full valuation is shown below: Full open market rent in good condition £1,000 Less deductions for:- Tenants provision of some white goods

£20 Damp penetration and disrepair

£50

Dated electrical wiring

£10

____ TOTAL RENT PAYABLE PER MONTH

£920

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

HAV/00ML/MNR/2025/0606 3 the terms of this assured tenancy and in its present condition was £920 per month.

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 £920 per month should take effect from 14th January 2025, 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.

📊 How courts decide similar cases

Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:

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 is entitled to a rent determination reflecting the open market value.
  • The rent determination must be adjusted for the property's condition.
  • The tenant is entitled to a fair market rent based on comparable evidence.
  • The rent determination should reflect the actual conditions and amenities of the property.
  • The tenant is entitled to a rent determination that considers the local rental values.

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

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

It set a monthly rent of £920 for an assured periodic tenancy.

Who was involved?

A tenant and landlords were involved in a dispute over rent.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court considered the property's condition and local rental prices to determine a fair rent.

Which laws or rules were applied?

The Housing Act 1988 section 14 was applied.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The argument about the property's condition and the need for adjustments to the open market rent was crucial.

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

The decision was for the tenant, setting a lower rent than initially proposed.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

Someone in a similar situation should consider the condition of their property when disputing rent.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Comparative rental data and the condition of the property were important.

Can a decision like this be appealed?

Yes, decisions like this can be appealed within a month of the decision.

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.

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.