Tribunal allows tenant's appeal on rent setting in London
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) set the rent for an assured periodic tenancy. The monthly rent was fixed at £925, effective from December 2019, following the Housing Act 1988.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent determined according to the Housing Act 1988, section 14, which was applied in this case to set the rent at £925 per month.
📖 What the law says
Under the Housing Act 1988, a tenant under an assured tenancy can apply to a tribunal to challenge the rent payable under the tenancy. However, the application cannot be made if the rent is based on a previous determination under this section or if more than six months have passed since the start of the tenancy. Additionally, a tenant can also challenge a new rent proposed in a notice under sections 13(2) or 13A(2). When determining the rent, the tribunal considers what a willing landlord would charge for a similar periodic tenancy in the open market. The tribunal must disregard certain factors such as the granting of a tenancy to a sitting tenant, increases in the value of the property due to improvements made by the tenant, and reductions in value due to the tenant's non-compliance with tenancy terms.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal set the monthly rent for an assured periodic tenancy at £925, effective from December 2019.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the rent for an assured periodic tenancy under the Housing Act 1988. The decision took effect on 21 December 2019, setting the monthly rent at £925 excluding certain charges.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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] Mr [RESPONDENT]
Landlord [RESPONDENT] [NAME] 9 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Tenant Ms [APPELLANT]
1. The rent is: £ 925.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)
2. The date the decision takes effect is: 21 December 2019
*3. The amount included for services is/is
negligible/not applicable N/A Per
*4. Service charges are variable and are not included
5. Date assured tenancy commenced 21 April 2018
6. Length of the term or rental period Monthly
7. Allocation of liability for repairs S11
8. Furniture provided by landlord or superior landlord Fully furnished by landlord including bed, cupboards, kitchen equipment and bathroom fittings.
9. Description of premises Second floor attic conversion with staircase from first floor in a registered HMO. Small bedsit with kitchenette and separate bathroom.
[NAME] of Decision 13/2/2020
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AY/MNR/2019/0155
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £360/week rent for assured tenancy in Harringay
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £1000/month rent for assured tenancy in London
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £450/month rent for assured tenancy in Newcastle
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £506.25/month rent for assured tenancy in London
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets £1950/Month Rent for Assured Tenancy in London
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Periodic Tenancy Set at £800 Monthly
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £2520/month rent for assured tenancy in London
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Decision — Case 4169062
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £595/month rent for assured tenancy in Manchester
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £480/month rent for assured tenancy in Manchester
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £425/month rent for assured tenancy in Manchester
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets £1080/month rent for assured tenancy in Maida Vale
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 requests a determination of rent under an assured periodic tenancy as per the Housing Act 1988.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- There are no factors listed that went against the claimant in the provided similar cases.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tribunal set the monthly rent for the tenant's assured periodic tenancy at £925, effective from December 2019.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over the rent amount for an assured periodic tenancy in a registered HMO.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to set the rent at £925 per month, effective from December 2019, based on the Housing Act 1988 Section 14.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Housing Act 1988 Section 14 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the application of the Housing Act 1988 Section 14 to set the rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the person who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation can apply to the Tribunal to have their rent set according to the Housing Act 1988 Section 14.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify.