[2025] UKUT 179 (LC)

This appeal is against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (the FTT) given on 23 January 2025 on a reference by the appellant, Mr Wallis, of a notice of increase of rent under section 13(2), Housing Act 1988 served on him by the respondent, Hutchby & Collumbell Ltd, his landlord, in respect of his tenancy of 115 Broadwater Street East, Worthing.

The weekly rent payable under the tenancy had previously remained unchanged since 1999 and the FTT increased it from £100 a week to £156 a week with effect from 25 November 2024. It later granted Mr Wallis permission to appeal and the appeal has been determined on the basis of the parties’ written submissions.

An appeal against a tribunal’s decision setting a new rent for an assured tenancy is an appeal on a point of law only, under section 11 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. The Housing Act 1988 is not one of the statutes listed in section 176A(2) of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 for which section 176B(1) provides a wider right of appeal. For the appeal to succeed I must therefore be satisfied that the FTT made an error of law in reaching its decision.