Flat 2 4 Little Place Lane Seaford East Sussex BN25 1LB HAV/21UF/MNR/2025/0680

FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL
PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY)
Case No HAV/21UF/MNR/2025/0680
Between
Ms K JeffreyApplicantL & L PropertiesRespondentMrs Karen JefferyTenantL&L PropertiesLandlord
Before
Mr I R Perry FRICSMr S J Hodges FRICSNone for the ApplicantDate 7 July 2025Property: Flat 2, 4 Little Place Lane, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 1LB

DECISION

The Tribunal determines a rent of £900 per calendar month with effect from 6th May 2025. SUMMARY REASONS Background[1]On 3rd March 2025 the Landlord’s Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £950 per month in place of the existing rent of £900 per month to take effect from 6th May 2025.[2]On 26th April 2025 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant(s) 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 Parties. 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 tenantable condition would be £950 per calendar month.[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 not let in such condition or with white goods, carpets and curtains all supplied so some adjustments to the ‘open market rent’ are necessary. The Landlord does supply a cooker. In addition, the Tribunal has adjusted the monthly rent to take account of the Tenant paying the cost of electricity to the common parts, the parties having agreed that a sum of £20 per month was appropriate.[8]The full valuation is shown below: Full open market rent in good condition £950 Less deductions for:- Tenants’ provision of white goods £20 Tenant’s provision of curtains/blinds £10 Tenant’s provision of electricity to common parts £20 ____ TOTAL RENT PAYABLE PER MONTH £900[9]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 £900 per month.[10]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.[11]Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £900 per month should take effect from 6th May 2025 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. 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. --- decision_2.pdf --- © CROWN COPYRIGHT 2025 FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL PROPERTY CHAMBER (RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY) Case Reference : HAV/21UF/MNR/2025/0680 Property : Flat 2 4 Little Place Lane Seaford East Sussex BN25 1LB Applicant Tenant : Ms K Jeffrey Representative : None Respondent Landlord : L & L Properties Representative : Luke Harris Residential Ltd Type of Application : Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988 Tribunal Members : Mr I R Perry FRICS Mr S J Hodges FRICS Date of Application : 26th April 2025 Date of Decision : 7th July 2025 DECISION The Tribunal determines a rent of £900 per calendar month with effect from 6th May 2025. HAV/21UF/MNR/2025/0680 SUMMARY REASONS Background[1]On 3rd March 2025 the Landlord’s Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £950 per month in place of the existing rent of £900 per month to take effect from 6th May 2025.[2]On 26th April 2025 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant(s) 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 Parties. 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 tenantable condition would be £950 per calendar month.[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 not let in such condition or with white goods, carpets and curtains all supplied so some adjustments to the ‘open market rent’ are necessary. The Landlord does supply a cooker. In addition, the Tribunal has adjusted the monthly rent to take account of the Tenant paying the cost of electricity to the common parts, the parties having agreed that a sum of £20 per month was appropriate.[8]The full valuation is shown below: Full open market rent in good condition £950 Less deductions for:- Tenants’ provision of white goods £20 Tenant’s provision of curtains/blinds £10 Tenant’s provision of electricity to common parts £20 ____ TOTAL RENT PAYABLE PER MONTH £900 HAV/21UF/MNR/2025/0680[9]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 £900 per month.[10]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.[11]Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that the new rent of £900 per month should take effect from 6th May 2025 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. 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.