Tribunal Sets Fair Market Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal set a fair market rent of £1,150 per month for a property after considering comparable evidence and local rental values, rejecting the landlord's proposal for a higher rent.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a fair market rent determination based on comparable evidence and local rental values.
📖 What the law says
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 their tenancy. The tribunal will then determine a fair market rent based on comparable evidence and local rental values. However, applications cannot be made if the rent is already set by a previous determination under this section or if more than six months have passed since the start of the tenancy.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined a fair market rent for a property based on comparable evidence and local rental values.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined a fair market rent of £1,150 per month for a property based on comparable evidence and local rental values, rejecting the landlord's proposed higher rent.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
MR22 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HAV/45UE/MNR/2024/0621
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] c/o [NAME], East & [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The rent is: £ 1150.00 Per Calendar Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3)
2. The date the decision takes effect is: 29 October 2024
3. The amount included for services is not applicable n/a Per n/a
4. Date assured tenancy commenced 29 July 2022
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 1-bedroom ground floor flat.
[NAME] of Decision 19 December 2024
© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024
FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : HAV/45UE/MNR/2024/0621 Property : [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Applicant Tenant : Mr [COUNSEL] :
None
Respondent Landlord : [RESPONDENT] : [NAME] of Application :
Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988
Tribunal Members : Mr [NAME] Mr [NAME] of Application : 25th October 2024 Date of Decision :
19th December 2024
DECISION
The Tribunal determines a rent of £1,150 per calendar month with effect from 29th October 2024.
HAV/45UE/MNR/2024/0621 2
SUMMARY REASONS
Background 1. On 9th September 2024 the Landlord’s Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1,300 per month in place of the existing rent of £995 per month to take effect from 29th October 2024.
2. On 25th October 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. 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 Landlord. 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 tenable condition would be £1,150 per calendar month/week.
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 let in such condition so no adjustments to the ‘open market rent’ are necessary.
8. 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 the terms of this assured tenancy was £1,150 per month.
9. 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.
10.
Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £1,150 per month should take effect from 29th October 2024, this being the date specified in the notice.
APPEAL PROVISIONS
HAV/45UE/MNR/2024/0621 3 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:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Tenancy - First-tier Tribunal Decision
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Tenancy: Open Market Value Adjusted
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Reduces Proposed Rent Increase for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Market Rent for Assured Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rent Determination for Assured Tenancy Set by First-tier Tribunal
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Market Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Adjusts Rent Considering Property Condition and Local I…
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Market Rent Determination for Assured Periodic Tenancy
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 fair market rent based on comparable evidence.
- The tenant is entitled to a rent adjustment considering the property's condition.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair market rent adjusted for specific conditions of the property.
- The Tribunal must base the market rent on comparable evidence and the condition of the property.
- The tenant is entitled to a rent determination reflecting the open market value adjusted for the condition of the property.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tribunal set a fair market rent of £1,150 per month for the property.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved in the dispute over rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided based on comparable evidence and local rental values, setting a fair market rent.
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 comparable evidence showing a fair market rent of £1,150 per month.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation can seek a fair market rent determination through the First-tier Tribunal.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Comparable evidence and local rental values were important in determining the fair market rent.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions like this can be appealed according to the appeal provisions detailed in the judgment.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is recommended to get advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent determination.
