First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the fair rent for a rental property, setting it at £140.25 per week. This decision was made according to the Rent Act 1977 and the Retail Price Index.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent assessed according to the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property to be £140.25 per week, excluding water rates and council tax but including specified amounts, following the calculation method outlined in the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CN/F77/2024/0022
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were
2 North Pathway
Harborne
Birmingham
[POSTCODE] [NAME]
Mr [RESPONDENT]
Mr [APPELLANT]
Landlord [COMPANY]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £140.25 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 30 July 2024
3. The amount for services is N/A Per N/A
not applicable
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
N/A Per N/A
not applicable
5. The rent is not to be registered as variable.
6. The capping provisions of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 apply (please see calculation overleaf).
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
None.
8. For information only:
The fair rent to be registered is not limited by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, because it is the same as/below the maximum fair rent of £157:00 per week prescribed by the Order.
[NAME] B.Sc ( Est. Man) Date of decision 30/07/2024
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 386.4
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 334.6
X 386.4 Minus Y 334.6 = (A) 51.8
(A) 51.8 Divided by Y 334.6 = (B) 0.15481
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 YES/NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) NA
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.2048
Last registered rent* £130.00 Multiplied by (C) = £156.62
*(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £157.00
Variable service charge YES / NO
If YES add amount for services N/A
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £157.00 Per Week
Explanatory Note
1. The calculation of the maximum fair rent, in accordance with the formula contained in the Order, is set out above.
2. In summary, the formula provides for the maximum fair rent to be calculated by:
(a) increasing the previous registered rent by the percentage change in the retail price index (the RPI) since the date of that earlier registration and
(b) adding a further 7.5% (if the present application was the first since 1 February 1999) or 5% (if it is a second or subsequent application since that date).
A 7.5% increase is represented, in the calculation set out above, by the addition of 1.075 to (B) and an increase of 5% is represented by the addition of 1.05 to (B).
The result is rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
3. For the purposes of the calculation the latest RPI figure (x) is that published in the calendar month immediately before the month in which the Tribunal’s fair rent determination was made.
4. The process differs where the tenancy agreement contains a variable service charge and the rent is to be registered as variable under section 71(4) of the Rent Act 1977. In such a case the variable service charge is removed before applying the formula. When the amount determined by the application of the formula is ascertained the service charge is then added to that sum in order to produce the maximum fair rent.
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent of £112.00 per week for property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £195.50
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Below Maximum Fair Rent
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent of £122 per week for tenant
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination for a Property Under the Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) New fair rent set for property by First-tier Tribunal
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £236 Per Week
A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent that reflects the property's condition and market conditions.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent set by the Tribunal under the Rent Act 1977.
- The tenant is entitled to have their fair rent adjusted according to the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent determined according to the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent determined by the Tribunal, subject to statutory capping provisions.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
It set the fair rent for a rental property at £140.25 per week.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations to determine the fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument centered around the calculation method for determining the fair rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should expect their rent to be assessed according to the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The calculation method outlined in the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions like this can be appealed to a higher court.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving fair rent determination.
