Flat 5, Towers House 8 Ratton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 2LS CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/0123

FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL
PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)
Case No CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/0123
Between
Pollard Bennett LtdRespondentMr Michael PerrinTenantPollard Bennett LtdLandlord
Before
Mr I R Perry BSc FRICSMr N I Robinson FRICSMr M C WoodrowHove Lets for the ApplicantDate 9 December 2021Property: Flat 5, Towers House, 8 Ratton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2LS

DECISION

[1]On 9th December 2021 the Tribunal determined a market rent of £555 per month to take effect from 25th October 2021. Background[2]The case concerned the determination of a market rent for the subject property following a referral of the Landlord’s notice of increase of rent by the Tenant pursuant to sections 13 and 14 Housing Act 1988.[3]On 6th September 2021 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £555 per month in place of the existing rent of £455 per month to take effect from 25th October 2021. The notice complied with the legal requirements.[4]On 22nd October 2021 the Tribunal received an application from the Tenant under Section 13(4) (a) of the Housing Act 1988.[5]The Coronavirus pandemic and considerations of health have caused a suspension of inspections and Tribunal hearings in person until further notice.[6]The Tribunal issued directions on 2nd November 2021 informing the parties that the Tribunal intended to determine the rent based on written representations. The parties were invited to make submissions which could include photographs or videos.[7]Both parties submitted detailed papers by the specified dates clearly setting out their respective cases. The papers were also copied to the other party.[8]As stated in the Directions, as no objection was received from either party, The Tribunal proceeded to determine the case on 9th December 2021 based on the documents received without an oral hearing. The Property[9]From the information given in the papers and available on the internet the property comprises a first-floor studio flat within a converted Edwardian semi-detached house about one mile from the seafront in Eastbourne. Local amenities are within reasonable distance.[10]The accommodation is described as having central heating and comprises a single Living/Kitchen/Bedroom and a Bathroom and WC.[11]Carpets, curtains, a fridge and a cooker are provided by the Landlord as well as a communal washing machine is in a shared laundry area in the basement. Hot water is said to be included within the rent. Submissions[12]The initial tenancy agreement began on 25th November 2013 at a rent of £455 per month although the Tenant says he has been paying only £450 per month for just over the last eight years.[13]Within his submissions the Tenant refers to a number of repair issues including a defective entry intercom, defective thermostatic valve to a radiator, a defective window catch, no cold water from the basin within the Bathroom, a broken light switch cord to the Bathroom and a defective Shower head.[14]The Landlord’s Agent provided details of other Studio flats advertised to let in the vicinity at rentals from £590 per month to £685 per month. The Tenant referred the Tribunal to a studio available at nearby Royal Parade which he said had been advertised at £475 per month. The Law S14 Determination of Rent by First-tier Tribunal(1) Where, under subsection (4) (a) of section 13 above, a tenant refers to a First-tier Tribunal a notice under subsection (2) of that section, the Tribunal shall determine the rent at which, subject to subsections (2) and (4) below, the Tribunal consider that the dwelling-house concerned might reasonably be expected to be let in the open market by a willing landlord under an assured tenancy- (a) which is a periodic tenancy having the same periods as those of the tenancy to which the notice relates; (b) which begins at the beginning of the new period specified in the notice; (c) the terms of which (other than relating to the amount of the rent) are the same as those of the tenancy to which the notice relates; and (d) in respect of which the same notices, if any, have been given under any of Grounds 1 to 5 of Schedule 2 to this Act, as have been given (or have effect as if given) in relation to the tenancy to which the notice relates.(2) In making a determination under this section, there shall be disregarded- (a) any effect on the rent attributable to the granting of a tenancy to a sitting tenant; (b) any increase in the value of the dwelling-house attributable to a relevant improvement carried out by a person who at the time it was carried out was the tenant, if the improvement- (i) was carried out otherwise than in pursuance of an obligation to his immediate landlord, or (ii) was carried out pursuant to an obligation to his immediate landlord being an obligation which did not relate to the specific improvement concerned but arose by reference to consent given to the carrying out of that improvement; and (c) any reduction in the value of the dwelling-house attributable to a failure by the tenant to comply with any terms of the tenancy.(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) above, in relation to a notice which is referred by a tenant as mentioned in subsection (1) above, an improvement is a relevant improvement if either it was carried out during the tenancy to which the notice relates, or the following conditions are satisfied, namely- (a) that it was carried out not more than twenty-one years before the date of service of the notice; and (b) that, at all times during the period beginning when the improvement was carried out and ending on the date of service of the notice, the dwelling-house has been let under an assured tenancy; and (c) that, on the coming to an end of an assured tenancy at any time during that period, the tenant (or, in the case of joint tenants, at least one of them) did not quit.(4) In this section "rent" does not include any service charge, within the meaning of section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, but, subject to that, includes any sums payable by the tenant to the landlord on account of the use of furniture, in respect of council tax or for any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) (a) of that section, whether or not those sums are separate from the sums payable for the occupation. Consideration and Valuation[15]The Tribunal first considered whether it felt able to reasonably and fairly decide this case based on the papers submitted only with no oral hearing. Having read and considered the papers it decided that it could do so.[16]The Tribunal is required to determine 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. The personal circumstances of the Tenant are not relevant to this issue.[17]Having carefully considered the representations from the parties and associated correspondence and using its own judgement and knowledge of rental values in Eastbourne, the Tribunal decided that the market rent for the subject property if let today in a condition that was usual for such an open market letting would be £575 per month.[18]The Tribunal gave consideration to the list of minor repairs provided by the Tenant and using its experience decided to make a reduction in rent of £20 per month to reflect these outstanding repairs.[19]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. Determination[20]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 £555 per month.[21]The Tribunal directed that the new rent of £555 per month should take effect from 25th October 2021 this being the date specified in the original Notice. RIGHTS OF APPEAL[1]A person wishing to appeal this decision to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) must seek permission to do so by making written application to the First-tier Tribunal at the Regional office which has been dealing with the case. Where possible you should send your application for permission to appeal by email to rpsouthern@justice.gov.uk as this will enable the First-tier Tribunal Regional office to deal with it more efficiently.[2]The application must arrive at the Tribunal within 28 days after the Tribunal sends to the person making the application written reasons for the decision.[3]If the person wishing to appeal does not comply with the 28-day time limit, the person shall include with the application for permission to appeal a request for an extension of time and the reason for not complying with the 28-day time limit; the Tribunal will then decide whether to extend time or not to allow the application for permission to appeal to proceed.[4]The application for permission to appeal must identify the decision of the Tribunal to which it relates, state the grounds of appeal, and state the result the party making the application is seeking. --- decision_2.pdf --- © CROWN COPYRIGHT 2021 FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/00123 Property : Flat 5, Towers House 8 Ratton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 2LS Landlord : Pollard Bennett Ltd Representative : Hove Lets Respondent/Tenant : Mr M Perrin Representative : None Type of Application : Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988 Tribunal Members : Mr I R Perry BSc FRICS Mr N I Robinson FRICS Mr M C Woodrow MRICS Date of Inspection : None. Paper determination Date of Decision : 9th December 2021 DECISION CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/00123 2 Summary of Decision[1]On 9th December 2021 the Tribunal determined a market rent of £555 per month to take effect from 25th October 2021. Background[2]The case concerned the determination of a market rent for the subject property following a referral of the Landlord’s notice of increase of rent by the Tenant pursuant to sections 13 and 14 Housing Act 1988.[3]On 6th September 2021 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £555 per month in place of the existing rent of £455 per month to take effect from 25th October 2021. The notice complied with the legal requirements.[4]On 22nd October 2021 the Tribunal received an application from the Tenant under Section 13(4) (a) of the Housing Act 1988.[5]The Coronavirus pandemic and considerations of health have caused a suspension of inspections and Tribunal hearings in person until further notice.[6]The Tribunal issued directions on 2nd November 2021 informing the parties that the Tribunal intended to determine the rent based on written representations. The parties were invited to make submissions which could include photographs or videos.[7]Both parties submitted detailed papers by the specified dates clearly setting out their respective cases. The papers were also copied to the other party.[8]As stated in the Directions, as no objection was received from either party, The Tribunal proceeded to determine the case on 9th December 2021 based on the documents received without an oral hearing. The Property[9]From the information given in the papers and available on the internet the property comprises a first-floor studio flat within a converted Edwardian semi-detached house about one mile from the seafront in Eastbourne. Local amenities are within reasonable distance.[10]The accommodation is described as having central heating and comprises a single Living/Kitchen/Bedroom and a Bathroom and WC.[11]Carpets, curtains, a fridge and a cooker are provided by the Landlord as well as a communal washing machine is in a shared laundry area in the basement. Hot water is said to be included within the rent. CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/00123 3 Submissions[12]The initial tenancy agreement began on 25th November 2013 at a rent of £455 per month although the Tenant says he has been paying only £450 per month for just over the last eight years.[13]Within his submissions the Tenant refers to a number of repair issues including a defective entry intercom, defective thermostatic valve to a radiator, a defective window catch, no cold water from the basin within the Bathroom, a broken light switch cord to the Bathroom and a defective Shower head.[14]The Landlord’s Agent provided details of other Studio flats advertised to let in the vicinity at rentals from £590 per month to £685 per month. The Tenant referred the Tribunal to a studio available at nearby Royal Parade which he said had been advertised at £475 per month. The Law S14 Determination of Rent by First-tier Tribunal(1) Where, under subsection (4) (a) of section 13 above, a tenant refers to a First-tier Tribunal a notice under subsection (2) of that section, the Tribunal shall determine the rent at which, subject to subsections (2) and (4) below, the Tribunal consider that the dwelling-house concerned might reasonably be expected to be let in the open market by a willing landlord under an assured tenancy- (a) which is a periodic tenancy having the same periods as those of the tenancy to which the notice relates; (b) which begins at the beginning of the new period specified in the notice; (c) the terms of which (other than relating to the amount of the rent) are the same as those of the tenancy to which the notice relates; and (d) in respect of which the same notices, if any, have been given under any of Grounds 1 to 5 of Schedule 2 to this Act, as have been given (or have effect as if given) in relation to the tenancy to which the notice relates.(2) In making a determination under this section, there shall be disregarded- (a) any effect on the rent attributable to the granting of a tenancy to a sitting tenant; CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/00123 4 (b) any increase in the value of the dwelling-house attributable to a relevant improvement carried out by a person who at the time it was carried out was the tenant, if the improvement- (i) was carried out otherwise than in pursuance of an obligation to his immediate landlord, or (ii) was carried out pursuant to an obligation to his immediate landlord being an obligation which did not relate to the specific improvement concerned but arose by reference to consent given to the carrying out of that improvement; and (c) any reduction in the value of the dwelling-house attributable to a failure by the tenant to comply with any terms of the tenancy.(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) above, in relation to a notice which is referred by a tenant as mentioned in subsection (1) above, an improvement is a relevant improvement if either it was carried out during the tenancy to which the notice relates, or the following conditions are satisfied, namely- (a) that it was carried out not more than twenty-one years before the date of service of the notice; and (b) that, at all times during the period beginning when the improvement was carried out and ending on the date of service of the notice, the dwelling-house has been let under an assured tenancy; and (c) that, on the coming to an end of an assured tenancy at any time during that period, the tenant (or, in the case of joint tenants, at least one of them) did not quit.(4) In this section "rent" does not include any service charge, within the meaning of section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, but, subject to that, includes any sums payable by the tenant to the landlord on account of the use of furniture, in respect of council tax or for any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) (a) of that section, whether or not those sums are separate from the sums payable for the occupation. Consideration and Valuation[15]The Tribunal first considered whether it felt able to reasonably and fairly decide this case based on the papers submitted only with no oral hearing. Having read and considered the papers it decided that it could do so.[16]The Tribunal is required to determine 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. The personal circumstances of the Tenant are not relevant to this issue.[17]Having carefully considered the representations from the parties and associated correspondence and using its own judgement and knowledge of rental values in Eastbourne, the Tribunal decided that the market rent CHI/21UC/MNR/2021/00123 5 for the subject property if let today in a condition that was usual for such an open market letting would be £575 per month.[18]The Tribunal gave consideration to the list of minor repairs provided by the Tenant and using its experience decided to make a reduction in rent of £20 per month to reflect these outstanding repairs.[19]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. Determination[20]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 £555 per month.[21]The Tribunal directed that the new rent of £555 per month should take effect from 25th October 2021 this being the date specified in the original Notice. RIGHTS OF APPEAL[1]A person wishing to appeal this decision to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) must seek permission to do so by making written application to the First-tier Tribunal at the Regional office which has been dealing with the case. Where possible you should send your application for permission to appeal by email to rpsouthern@justice.gov.uk as this will enable the First-tier Tribunal Regional office to deal with it more efficiently.[2]The application must arrive at the Tribunal within 28 days after the Tribunal sends to the person making the application written reasons for the decision.[3]If the person wishing to appeal does not comply with the 28-day time limit, the person shall include with the application for permission to appeal a request for an extension of time and the reason for not complying with the 28-day time limit; the Tribunal will then decide whether to extend time or not to allow the application for permission to appeal to proceed.[4]The application for permission to appeal must identify the decision of the Tribunal to which it relates, state the grounds of appeal, and state the result the party making the application is seeking.