First-tier Tribunal Sets Market Rent for Coventry Property
📌 In brief
In this case, the First-tier Tribunal set the rent at £1300 pcm after considering evidence from both parties about similar properties in the area. The decision was based on fair market rates for comparable homes.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent set at a fair market rate based on comparable properties and local rental trends.
📖 What the law says
This section 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 open-market rent based on reasonable expectations of what a willing landlord would charge for a similar property.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the market rent for a property based on comparable evidence and expert knowledge of rental values in the area.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined the market rent of £1300 per calendar month for a property based on comparable evidence and expert knowledge of rental values in the area, resolving a dispute between tenant and landlord.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed in Part
© CROWN COPYRIGHT
Case Reference
: BIR/00CQ/MNR/2026/0067
Property : [ADDRESS], Coventry. [POSTCODE].
Tenant : [APPELLANT]
Landlord : [RESPONDENT]
Landlord’s agent :
Date of application : 17th March 2026
Type of Application : Determination of a Market Rent Sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988
Tribunal Members : [NAME] [NAME] of Decision : 20th May 2026
_______________________________________________
DECISION
The Tribunal determines a rent of £1300 (One Thousand Three Hundred Pounds) per calendar month with effect from 17th April 2026 ____________________________________
FIRST - TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)
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REASONS FOR THE DECISION Background
1. On 17th March 2026 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1500 per calendar month in place of the existing rent of £925 pcm to take effect from 17th April 2026.
2. On 17th 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 information provided it appears that the subject property is a modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom mid-terrace town house with accommodation over 3-floors together with gardens and garden shed located in a residential area of similar such properties.
5. The property is let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy incorporating standard repairing obligations.
6. The landlord submitted details of letting information relating to similar properties in the locality together with a letting agent email suggesting a market rent of £1,300 per month unless the property was a licenced HMO in which case a rent of £1,400pcm should be achievable.
7. The tenant submitted her opinion on the landlord’s market evidence together with details of her search results concluding with an opinion that the market rent lies within the range of £1100-£1225 per calendar month.
8. No submissions were made by either party regarding the condition of the property.
3 Determination and Valuation
9. Having considered the comparable evidence provided by the Landlord 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 in the region of £1300 per calendar month.
10. The Tribunal consider that no adjustments should be made to the market rent.
Decision
12. 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 [NAME] under an assured tenancy was £1300 per calendar month with effect from 17th April 2026.
Chairman:
Date: 20th 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.
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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], Coventry. [POSTCODE].
[NAME] K [RESPONDENT]
Landlord [APPELLANT] [ADDRESS], Rugby. [POSTCODE]
Tenant [NAME], [APPELLANT] [NAME]
1. The rent is: £1300 Per calendar month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)
2. The date the decision takes effect is: 17th April 2026
3. The amount included for services is not applicable
Per
4. Date assured tenancy commenced 17th February 2018
5. Length of the term or rental period 6 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 Modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom mid-terrace town house with accommodation over 3-floors
Chairman
Date of Decision 20th May 2026
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No.
BIR/00CQ/MNR/2026/0067
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Rent at £1200 PCM
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Coventry Apartment
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Market Rent at £980 Per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Market Rent for HMO Bedroom
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Market Rent Due to Property Defects
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Market Rent for Birmingham Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Market Rent for Portsmouth Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Market Rent for Coventry Apartment
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Market Rent for Assured Tenancy Flat
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
- Rent should be set based on the condition of the property.
- Rent should be adjusted for property defects affecting habitability.
- Rent proposals must be supported by evidence of similar properties' rents.
- Rent should be set based on comparable properties and local conditions.
- Rent should be determined by a fair representation of current market conditions.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tribunal decided that the property's market rent should be £1300 per calendar month.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved in the dispute over the rental price of a property.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal reviewed comparable evidence from similar properties to determine a fair market rent for the property.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Sections 13 and 14 of the Housing Act 1988 were applied in this case.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The comparable evidence provided by both parties about similar properties in the area was crucial to determining the market rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The tenant's request for a lower rent was partially granted, as the tribunal set the rent at £1300 pcm, which is less than the landlord proposed but more than what the tenant requested.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a similar dispute should gather comparable evidence to support their case before the First-tier Tribunal.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Evidence of rental prices from similar properties and expert knowledge about local rental trends were important.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
A party dissatisfied with the decision can apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal on points of law.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent determination.
