MR1: apply for a determination of an open market rent
Understand what MR1 is for, what the market rent application asks about and where comparable rent evidence fits in.
- MR1 is used to ask the tribunal to determine the open market rent.
- The form asks about the tenancy, property, notice and supporting documents.
- UpRently can help with comparable rent evidence, but it does not complete MR1.
MR1 is the form used to ask the tribunal to decide the open market rent. Its official name is “Apply for a determination of an open market rent”.
If you are reading this because your landlord has proposed a rent increase, the key issue is whether the proposed rent is above the open market rent for your home. MR1 is part of the official process for asking the tribunal to decide that rent.
Check your rent increase for free before you start gathering evidence. The UpRently Rent Rise Checker can help you see whether the proposed rent looks supported by local comparables.
What MR1 is for
MR1 is used where a tenant wants to ask the First-tier Tribunal to determine the open market rent. It can relate to a proposed rent increase following a notice, and it can also be used in some other market rent situations.
For a rent increase, the practical point is this: if you think the proposed rent is above market, MR1 is the route for asking the tribunal to look at the rent.
This guide does not tell you how to fill in each box. That is outside UpRently’s role. But it does explain the kind of information and evidence the process is concerned with, so you can understand why market rent evidence matters.
What the application is trying to establish
The tribunal’s role is to determine the open market rent. That means it needs enough information to understand the home, the tenancy and the proposed increase.
The application and supporting documents help answer questions such as:
- what property is being rented
- what the current rent is
- what the landlord is proposing
- when the tenancy started
- whether there is a tenancy agreement
- what the property is like
- whether furniture, services or bills are included
- whether there are features that affect the rent
This is why the property details matter. A rent figure without context is not very useful. A two-bedroom flat with parking, a balcony and recent refurbishment may not have the same market rent as a two-bedroom flat in poorer condition without parking.
Why comparable evidence matters
The market rent question needs evidence of similar homes. This is where many renters struggle.
A useful comparable is not just any cheaper property online. It should be close enough to your home to help make a fair comparison. The best comparables usually match the property type, number of bedrooms, location and condition. If they do not match exactly, the differences should be explained.
For example, if your home is a two-bedroom terraced house with a garden, a two-bedroom flat in the same town may be a weak comparison. It might still show something about local affordability or wider rental levels, but it does not directly show what a similar terraced house is worth.
Similarly, if an advertised property includes bills, the headline rent may not compare with a rent that excludes bills. You need to understand what is included before relying on the figure.
What documents and information may be needed
GOV.UK guidance explains that tenants will need documents such as a tenancy agreement if they have one and the landlord’s notice of increase for relevant rent increase applications.
You may also need to provide details about the property itself. This matters because the tribunal is not only looking at a number. It needs to understand the home being valued.
Do not treat the evidence as an afterthought. If you are thinking about using MR1, start organising information early. Keep copies of the notice, tenancy agreement, correspondence and any comparable rents you find.
The application fee and fee help
The market rent application has a £47 fee unless an exemption applies. MR1 and GOV.UK guidance explain that you do not have to pay the fee if the landlord served the notice before 1 May 2026 or you live in social housing.
You may also be able to get Help with Fees if you have little or no savings and are on certain benefits or have a low income. Help with Fees is handled through GOV.UK and EX160, not through UpRently.
If money is tight, check the fee position before assuming you cannot apply.
How UpRently fits in
UpRently is not an MR1 form wizard. It does not fill in your application, submit it or decide what you should write.
It helps with the evidence problem that sits behind the application. The UpRently Rent Rise Checker compares the proposed rent with local market data where suitable comparables are available. The Evidence Pack records the comparables, the method and the evidence summary in a structured format.
That can help you understand whether the proposed rent looks supported by the market. It can also help you keep your evidence organised if you decide to have a conversation with your landlord or use the official process.
Use MR1 with care and preparation
MR1 is an official application, so accuracy matters. Read the GOV.UK guidance, check the latest form and get advice if you are unsure.
The stronger your understanding of the evidence, the more confident you are likely to feel. A good starting point is knowing what similar homes rent for and whether those examples genuinely compare with your home.
What to read next
This guide is general information for private renters and landlords in England. UpRently helps you compare a proposed rent increase with local market evidence where suitable comparable data is available. It does not give legal advice, decide whether a notice is valid or complete tribunal applications. Check the latest official guidance before acting and get advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice or a qualified adviser if you are unsure.