The law behind these decisions, and where to get help
Every decision in this database is the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) settling a disputed rent increase for an assured tenancy, under sections 13 and 14 of the Housing Act 1988. This page explains how that process works and links to the official sources — GOV.UK, the legislation itself, and free advice services — rather than trying to be a substitute for any of them.
How a section 13 rent increase works
A landlord can only increase the rent on an assured (periodic) tenancy once a year, using a section 13 notice that gives at least 2 months' notice of the new rent. If the tenant thinks the new rent is above the open market rate, they can ask the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide the open market rent instead — the tribunal can set the rent at or below the landlord's proposed figure, never above it, so applying carries no downside beyond the tribunal's fee (currently £47, waived in some circumstances). Since the Renters' Rights Act changes that took effect on 1 May 2026, a tenant also can't be evicted for challenging a rent increase this way.
The tribunal decides based on the evidence both sides submit — mainly what similar nearby properties actually let for — plus its own knowledge of the local market where evidence is thin. That's the gap this database exists to help fill: a searchable record of what the tribunal has actually decided nearby.
Read the law itself
- Housing Act 1988, section 13 — the landlord's notice proposing a new rent.
- Housing Act 1988, section 14 — the tribunal's power to determine the rent instead.
- Assured periodic tenancies: a guide for tenants — rent increases (GOV.UK).
- Private renting: rent disputes (GOV.UK).
Apply to the tribunal, or respond to an application
- Apply for an open market rent determination (GOV.UK guidance, includes the online application and form MR1) — the official walkthrough of the process every decision here went through.
- Solve a residential property dispute (GOV.UK) — the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)'s wider remit and how hearings work.
- Forms for other property tribunal cases (GOV.UK), if your dispute isn't a straightforward rent increase.
- Help paying the tribunal fee (GOV.UK), if you're on a low income or certain benefits.
- Browse tribunal decisions directly on GOV.UK — the source this whole database is built from.
Free, independent advice
The tribunal itself can't give legal advice. These services can, at no cost:
- Citizens Advice: check if your landlord can increase your rent
- Citizens Advice: challenging a rent increase — webchat and phone advice, England: 0800 144 8848, Wales: 0800 702 2020.
- Shelter England: rent increases for private tenants
- Law Centres Network — find a local law centre for free, face-to-face legal advice.
Want the evidence, not just the decision?
Around half of the decisions in this database cite a problem with the evidence submitted — comparable tribunal outcomes are usually what decides these cases, for both sides. We're testing a paid evidence pack and a guided walkthrough of the application, built from this database.
Landlord evidence pack — from £15
Nearby tribunal outcomes, a rent level likely to survive a challenge, and an evidence pack in the format the tribunal expects — timed for when you serve a section 13 notice.
Register interest in the landlord packTenant pack — from £19
Whether challenging your rent increase is worth it, plus the comparable decisions to include with your MR1 application to the tribunal.
Register interest in the tenant packNot built yet — register your interest by email and we'll let you know when it's ready. This isn't legal advice; see the law and free advice options.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and the law changes — always check the linked GOV.UK page or legislation for the current position before relying on it.