Tribunal slashes Manchester rent by £200 after tenant challenges increase under new law
A Manchester tenant successfully contested a £50 rent hike, prompting a tribunal to set the monthly rent £200 lower than the original amount under the Renters' Rights Act.
Under the Renters' Rights Act that took effect on 1 May, a Manchester tenant contested a £50 increase to a £1,700 monthly rent, claiming the amount exceeded local market levels. The tenant presented evidence of similar flats in the building and nearby developments advertised between £1,400 and £1,500, and also cited maintenance problems and financial strain. The first-tier tribunal accepted the arguments, concluded the market rent should be £1,450, and ordered the landlord to lower the rent by £200 from the originally agreed £1,650.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook highlighted the case as proof of Labour’s commitment to renters, while experts such as Ashley Osborne of Lexit described the outcome as “rent control by the back door.” The ruling comes as tribunals see a 56 % rise in cases, and the government plans to shift initial rent-appeal handling to HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency to speed decisions.
