Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
Rent increase challenges to move to the Valuation Office
The government has announced that responsibility for deciding challenges to rent increases in England will transfer from the First-tier Tribunal to HMRC's Valuation Office. The announcement was made on 9 September 2026, alongside confirmation of the landlord registration service.
According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the aim is for challenges to be determined faster.
What has been announced
Landlords and tenants who wish to challenge a rent increase will, in future, deal with HMRC's Valuation Office rather than the First-tier Tribunal. The announcement formed part of a wider set of confirmations from the government on 9 September 2026, which also included the landlord registration service.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has stated that the intention behind the move is to speed up the process for determining challenges.
What this means for letting agents and inventory clerks
For letting agents managing tenancies in England, rent increase disputes will be handled by a different body. Agents advising landlords or tenants on rent increase challenges should be aware that the responsible body will change from the First-tier Tribunal to the Valuation Office.
At this stage, the announcement confirms the transfer of responsibility and the stated aim of faster determinations. Agents and clerks should follow further guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as more detail on how the new arrangements will operate becomes available.
Next steps
The Property118 report notes that the announcement was made alongside the confirmation of the landlord registration service, suggesting the changes form part of a broader package of measures. Landlords, letting agents and inventory clerks in England may wish to monitor official communications for further detail on the transfer and its practical implications.
Source: Property118