2 Garden House Cottages Plawhatch Lane Sharpthorne East Sussex RH19 4JL: HAV/21UH/MNR/2026/0171 HAV/21UH/MNR/2026/0171
REASONS
[1]On 30th April 2026 the Landlord’s Agent served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1,500 per calendar month (“pcm”) for the Property in place of the existing rent of £850 pcm to take effect from 1st June 2026.[2]On 30th May 2026, 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.[3]The initial tenancy commenced on 24h May 2007. Allocation of Repairs between Landlord and Tenant.[4]The Landlord is responsible for repairs. Services Charges or furniture provided by Landlord (other than carpets and curtain and white goods specified below) and the costs relating to the same.[5]None. Liability for Council Tax[6]The Tenant is responsible for the payment of Council Tax in respect of the Property. Any other terms of the tenancy taken into consideration in determining the rent.[7]None Hearing[8]Neither party requested a hearing. The Property[9]The Property is a semi-detached house comprising a living room, kitchen, bathroom and 3 bedrooms. Outside there is a garden. Evidence[10]The Landlord’s Notice proposing a new rent is dated 30th April 2026 and states that the starting date for the new rent will be 1st June 2026.[11]The original assured tenancy commenced on 24th May 2007 and specifies that rent shall be paid on 24th day of each month.[12]The copy of the notice of rent increase submitted did not include the mandatory guidance notes for tenants. The Law[13]The guidance notes for tenants which must be served by any landlord with the notice of rent increase, at paragraph 18 states that in all cases “the proposed new rent must start at the beginning of a period of the tenancy. For instance, if the tenancy is monthly, and started on 20th of the month, rent will be payable on that day of the month, and a new rent must begin then, not on any other day of the month.”[14]The Tribunal has no discretion that it can apply regarding the validity of the notice. The Landlord is not precluded from serving a fresh and valid notice. Determination[15]The Tribunal determines that the notice proposing a new rent is invalid because the proposed commencement date does not fall at the beginning of a tenancy period. Accordingly, the Tribunal has no jurisdiction to determine a market rent and the application is struck out. Decision[12]Therefore, the Tribunal determines the application dated 30th May 2026 is struck out. APPEAL PROVISIONS If either party is dissatisfied with this decision, they may apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) on any point of law arising from this Decision. Prior to making such an appeal, an application must be made, in writing, to this Tribunal for permission to appeal. Any such application must be made within 28 days of the issue of this statement of reasons (regulation 52 (2) of The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013) stating the grounds upon which it is intended to rely in the appeal.