It is reported today in the Times that tenants are challenging rent increases in greater numbers since the relevant parts of the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May.  

It is no surprise given it costs £47 to commence a challenge and that any increase in rent that might be decided by the First-tier tribunal is not backdated means it is effectively a "free hit" for tenants. Early analysis from LonRes of 30 such cases decided since the Renters' Rights Act came into force suggests 60% of tenants succeeded in reducing the rent (by an average pf 3.9%) and it remained the same in the rest.

The worst outcome for a tenant who challenges is that they pay the increase the landlord asks from the date the First-tier tribunal decides the matter which, inevitably, will be some considerable time later (and will no doubt increase as delays become baked into a stretched system).  The article refers to the additional 1,000 tribunal judges to be recruited by the Government and that decision times in the tribunal are (apparently) reducing, but watch this space, as the tribunal workload inevitably increases so will the delays…