First-tier Tribunal Sets Market Rent for Assured Tenancy Flat

OUTCOME: Allowed in Part

© CROWN COPYRIGHT Case Reference : BIR/00CN/MNR/2026/0062 Property : [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] Tenant : [NAME] Landlord : [NAME] Landlord’s agent : Date of application : 10th March 2026 Type of Application : Determination of a Market Rent Sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988 Tribunal Members : [NAME] [NAME] of Decision : 21st May 2026 _______________________________________________

DECISION The Tribunal determines a rent of £150 (One Hundred and Fifty Pounds) per week with effect from 6th April 2026 ____________________________________

REASONS FOR THE

DECISION FIRST - TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)

2 Background 1. On 23rd February 2026 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £143.03 per week in place of the existing rent of £138.05 per week to take effect from 6th April 2026.

2. On 10th March 2026, 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 on the basis of the papers provided by the parties and having regard to its own knowledge, expertise and online research. Evidence 4. The Tribunal considered the written submissions provided by the Tenant and the Landlord. From the brief information provided it appears that the subject property is a first floor one-bedroom apartment benefiting from a communal garden.

5. The property is let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy incorporating standard repairing obligations. The Tenant states that the property was let unfurnished without carpets which he fitted at his expense. He also submits that he decorated the property throughout.

6. The Landlord did not submit any supporting evidence including market lettings of comparable properties to support their proposed rent increase.

7. The Tenant provided details within his submission of a Birmingham City Council Rent Variation Notice on [ADDRESS], Birmingham. [POSTCODE] indicating a rent of £97.66 from 6 April 2026 and a further Birmingham City Council Rent Variation Notice on [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] indicating a rent of £121.94 from 6 April 2026.

8. The Tenant further submitted a request that the Tribunal consider whether the service charges were reasonable, properly evidenced and correctly applied in respect of the tenancy agreement and relevant regulatory requirements.

9. No submissions were made by either party regarding the current condition of the property.

3 Determination and Valuation 10. The Tribunal do not have the authority to consider the service charge element of the lease as requested by the Tenant and outlined in paragraph 8 above. The Tribunal’s sole authority is to determine the open market rent of the subject property.

11. Having considered the comparable evidence provided by the Tenant and of our own expert knowledge of rental values in the area, we consider that the open market rent for the property in good tenantable condition would be £150 per week.

12. The Tribunal consider that no adjustments should be made to the market rent. Decision 13. 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 £150 per week with effect from 6th April 2026. Chairman: Date: 21st May 2026 APPEAL PROVISIONS If either party is dissatisfied with this decision, they may apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) on any point of law arising from this Decision. Prior to making such an appeal, an application must be made, in writing, to this Tribunal for permission to appeal. Any such application must be made within 28 days of the issue of this statement of reasons (regulation 52 (2) of The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013) stating the grounds upon which it is intended to rely in the appeal.

4 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] Landlord [NAME] [ADDRESS], Birmingham. [POSTCODE] Tenant [NAME]

1. The rent is: £150 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)

2. The date the decision takes effect is: 6th April 2026 3. The amount included for services is not applicable Per 4. Date assured tenancy commenced 14th April 2022 5. Length of the term or rental period 12 months 6. Allocation of liability for repairs Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 7. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord None 8. Description of premises First floor one bedroom apartment benefiting from a communal garden Chairman Date of Decision 21st May 2026 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CN/MNR/2026/0062