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AllowedFirst-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)·

Market Rent Determination: Tenant Wins Reduced Rent Adjustment

Case No.

📌 In brief

The Tribunal reviewed a notice proposing a new rent and decided on a fair market rent based on the property's condition and comparable evidence, reducing the proposed rent.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is entitled to a fair market rent adjustment based on the property's condition and comparable evidence.

Topics

tenancy disputesmarket rent determination

Provisions

📖 What the law says

Housing Act 1988 s.14

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 the tenancy. The tribunal will then determine a fair market rent based on the property's condition and comparable evidence. The application can be made when a new rent is proposed in a notice under sections 13(2) or 13A(2).

Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.

📖 Technical summary

The Tribunal adjusted the proposed rent after considering the property's condition and comparable evidence.

📜 Headnote Official document

The Tribunal reviewed a notice proposing a new rent and determined a fair market rent based on the property's condition and comparable evidence, adjusting the proposed rent.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. CHI/21UG/MNR/2024/0173

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 17 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]

[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]

Landlord [NAME] [RESPONDENT] c/o [NAME], 10 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

Tenant Ms [APPELLANT]

1. The rent is: £ 1000.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)

2. The date the decision takes effect is: 2 September 2024

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

5. Date assured tenancy commenced 2 October 2014

6. Length of the term or rental period Monthly

7. Allocation of liability for repairs Landlord

8. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord

9. Description of premises 2 bedroom inner terraced house

[NAME] of Decision 8 October 2024

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024

FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : CHI/21UG/MNR/2024/0173 Property : 17 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Tenant : Ms [COUNSEL] :

None

Landlord : [NAME] [COUNSEL] : [NAME] of Application :

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

Tribunal Members : Mr [NAME] Mr [NAME] of Objection : 31st July 2024

Date of Summary Reasons :

8th October 2024

DECISION

The Tribunal determines a rent of £1,000 per calendar month with effect from 2nd September 2024.

CHI/21UG/MNR/2024/0173

2 SUMMARY REASONS

Background 1. On 5th July 2024 the Landlords’ Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1,200 per calendar month in place of the existing rent of £975 per calendar month to take effect from 2nd September 2024.

2. On 31st July 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. Inspection 3. 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’ Agent. Determination and Valuation 5. Having consideration to the comparable evidence provided by the parties and of our its expert, general knowledge of rental values in the area, we determine that the open market rent for the property in good tenable condition would be £1,250 per calendar month.

6. Such a tenancy would normally include white goods, carpets and curtains/blinds to all be provided by the Landlord and the property to be in good condition throughout.

7. In this case the property is not let in such good condition and is evidenced as being tired and dated throughout.

8. The full valuation is shown below: Full open market rent in good condition £1,250 Less deductions for:- Tired and dated condition

£250

____ TOTAL RENT PAYABLE PER MONTH

£1,000

CHI/21UG/MNR/2024/0173

3 9. 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 the terms of this assured tenancy was £1,000 per month.

10. The Tribunal was satisfied that the starting date for the new rent specified in the Landlord’s notice would cause the Tenant no undue hardship.

11.

Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £1,000 per month should take effect from 2nd September 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. Ay 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 property's condition significantly affects the fair market rent.
  • Comparable evidence is used to adjust the rent.
  • Tenant-provided amenities are considered in determining the rent.
  • Local rental values influence the fair market rent.
  • The Housing Act 1988 supports the adjustment of rent based on property conditions.

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

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

The Tribunal adjusted the proposed rent after considering the property's condition and comparable evidence.

Who was involved?

The tenant and the landlord were involved in the dispute over the proposed rent increase.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court decided to reduce the proposed rent based on the property's condition and comparable evidence.

Which laws or rules were applied?

The Housing Act 1988 section 14 was applied.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The argument that the property was not in good condition and the comparable evidence of rental values in the area mattered most.

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

The decision was for the tenant who brought the case.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

Someone in a similar situation may also have their rent adjusted based on the property's condition and comparable evidence.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Written submissions from both parties and information freely available on the internet mattered.

Can a decision like this be appealed?

Yes, a decision like this can be appealed if either party requests full reasons and follows the appeal process.

Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?

It is always recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent adjustments.

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.