Recommendation 13

The government’s immediate priority must be to ensure the protections that are in place against above-market rent increases through the First- Tier Tribunal are functioning effectively. Tenants must have confidence that the tribunal will settle challenges quickly and accurately. To support the effectiveness of the First-tier Tribunal, we recommend that: a. the government accelerate the establishment of a new body or mechanism to make initial rent determinations; b. require landlords to include current advertised rents and rent histories on the private rented sector database; and c. conduct an initial review of the performance of the First-Tier Tribunal to be published by 1 May 2027 to assess if these protections are working effectively. (Recommendation, Paragraph 72)