84 Wilkinson Grove, Middlesbrough, TS4 3FG: MAN/00EC/MNR/2026/0239 MAN/00EC/MNR/2026/0239
REASONS
[1]On 4 March 2026, the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £1,000.00 per calendar month(pcm) in place of the existing rent of £975.00 pcm to take effect from 12 May 2026.[2]On 27 April 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 assured shorthold tenancy commenced on 12 November 2021 for a term of 12 months. The rental period is monthly. Allocation of Repairs between Landlord and Tenant.[4]As per tenancy agreement and section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. 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]The Tenant does not pay any service charges. The Property is let unfurnished. Liability for Council Tax[6]The Tenant is responsible for the payment of Council Tax in respect of the Property. The rent determined is exclusive of Council Tax. Any other terms of the tenancy taken into consideration in determining the rent.[7]N/A. Inspection/Hearing[8]Neither party requested an oral hearing. The Tribunal has considered this case on the basis of the papers provided by the parties and its own knowledge and specialist expertise. The Property[9]The Property is a modern semi-detached house providing the following accommodation: Ground Floor: kitchen, living room, w/c First Floor: 2 bedrooms, bathroom Outside: front and rear gardens, driveway The Property is situated in the Bracken Grange Development in Middlesbrough, close to amenities. Middlesbrough town centre is approximately 3 miles to the north. Evidence[10]Both the Tenant and the Landlord returned the Tribunal’s Reply forms. The Tenant[11]The Tenant provided a screenshot showing another property in Bracken Grange with an asking rent of £925 pcm and proposed a monthly rental value of £925. The Landlord[12]The Landlord provided details of 9 comparable properties in Bracken Grange with recently agreed rentals between £1,000 and £1,020 pcm. Determination and Valuation[13]The Tribunal noted the discrepancy between the Landlord’s and Tenant’s comparable evidence, but is of the view that the preponderance of evidence favoured the Landlord’s position and that the Landlord’s comparables were agreed rents as opposed to asking rents.[14]Relying on its own expert, general knowledge of rental values in the area and the comparables provided by the parties, the Tribunal considers that the market rental of the subject Property in good order would be in the order of £1,000.00 pcm. This is the rent we would expect the property to let for in the open market if it was in the same general condition as comparable properties.[15]The Tribunal considers the property to be in overall good condition. As such, no adjustments are warranted and the market rent is determined as below. Market rent £1,000.00 pcm Undue hardship[16]The new rent takes effect from the date specified in the Landlord’s Notice of Increase unless that would cause undue hardship to the tenant. In cases of undue hardship, the Tribunal has a discretion to fix a later starting date up to the date a Tribunal makes its determination.[17]The Tenant has stated that a rent increase will cause financial hardship. Only very limited information and supporting evidence was provided as to the Tenant’s financial position.[18]Whilst any significant increase in rent will inevitably cause some measure of hardship, in considering whether to exercise its discretion to postpone the rent increase, the question for the Tribunal is whether undue hardship will be caused. In this case, the Tribunal does not consider that a case for undue hardship is established. Accordingly, the new rent will take effect from the date specified in the Landlord’s Notice of Increase. Decision[19]Therefore, the Tribunal determines the market rent at £1,000.00 per calendar month with effect from 12 May 2026. 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.