Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
Tribunal Supports Landlord's Rent Increase with Achieved Rent Evidence
A recent First-tier Tribunal decision has highlighted the importance of presenting evidence of achieved rents in rent increase disputes. The tribunal supported Get Living London’s proposed rent increase for a two-bedroom flat in London, raising the monthly rent from £3,102 to £3,180.
In this case, the tenant challenged the proposed increase, referencing lower advertised prices in an attempt to overturn the landlord’s proposal. However, the tribunal found that evidence of completed lettings—actual achieved rents—carried more weight than advertised prices that had not resulted in tenancies.
This outcome underscores the value for landlords and letting agents of maintaining accurate records of achieved rents when defending rent increases before a tribunal. For inventory clerks and property professionals, the decision reinforces the need to document and reference completed tenancy agreements as part of the evidence base in such cases.
Source: Property118