Rent Increase Checker

Flat 16 Principal Court, Firs Lane, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 6EL

Full increasePre-Act rulesDecided 27 May 2026Case BIR/00CS/MNR/2026/0052
Rent before
£795
a month
Matched in the decision text
Landlord asked for
£825
+3.8% on the rent before
Matched in the decision text
Tribunal set
£825
+£30 a month (+3.8%)
Matched in the decision text

BackdatedThe new rent took effect from 25 March 2026, before the decision was made. Backdating was allowed under the pre-Act rules.

In short

The landlord asked for a rent rise from £795 a month to £825 a month for a two-bedroom flat in B67. The tribunal determined a market rent of £825 a month, starting from a figure of £875 a month for the property modernised and in good order, less deductions for its condition including damp and mould and damaged kitchen units. It set the start date at 25 March 2026 instead of the 25 February 2026 proposed, because it accepted the increase would cause the tenant undue hardship.

What decided it:Property conditionComparables rejectedHardship

Only the landlord gave the tribunal comparable lettings.

Summary written by an AI model from the published decision and checked automatically for names and figures. How

Also in the decision

  • The panel relied on its own knowledge of local rents
  • The rent was reduced for the property's condition
  • The tenant applied for a later start on hardship grounds
  • A later start was granted for hardship
Read the decision on GOV.UKDownload the PDF
Where the figures came from
Rent before
“…akes effect 25th March 2026 REASONS FOR THE DECISION Background 1. On 12th January 2026 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £825 per calendar month (pcm) in place of the existing rent of £795 pcm to take effect from 25th February 2026. 2. On 18th February 2026 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant referred the Landlord's notice proposing a new rent to…”
Asked for
“…rmined £825.00 per calendar month Date the new rent takes effect 25th March 2026 REASONS FOR THE DECISION Background 1. On 12th January 2026 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988 which proposed a new rent of £825 per calendar month (pcm) in place of the existing rent of £795 pcm to take effect from 25th February 2026. 2. On 18th February 2026 under Section 13(4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988, the Tenant r…”
Tribunal set
“…th February 2026 Type of Application Determination of a Market Rent sections 13 & 14 of the Housing Act 1988 Tribunal Members Hefin Lewis FRICS - Valuer Chair Sarah Allen - Tribunal Member Date of Decision 27th May 2026 Rent Determined £825.00 per calendar month Date the new rent takes effect 25th March 2026 REASONS FOR THE DECISION Background 1. On 12th January 2026 the Landlord served a notice under Section 13(2) of the Housing Act 19…”

Other decisions in B67

All of B67
  1. 62 Rosefield Road, Smethwick, B67 6DX
    Part of it, 2-bed house, 20 Aug 2026, pre-Act rules
    Was £650, asked £900
    £800
  2. 17 Westfield Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 6AW
    No increase, 3-bed house, 16 Apr 2026, pre-Act rules
    Was £900, asked £1,000
    £900
  3. 134 Rosefield Road Smethwick Birmingham B67 6DZ
    Part of it, 3-bed house, 29 Aug 2025, pre-Act rules
    Was £575, asked £975
    £950
  4. 163 Lightwoods Road, B67 5AZ
    House, 13 Dec 2024, pre-Act rules
    £800