First-tier Tribunal Sets £100 Weekly Fair Rent for Birmingham Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal set the fair rent for a property in Birmingham at £100 per week under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula from the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999. The decision was based on the specific provisions of these laws.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their fair rent assessed according to the formula set out in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property in Birmingham under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula from the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999. The tenant was entitled to have their fair rent assessed at £100 per week.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CN/F77/2023/0010
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 142, [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [APPELLANT]
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £100 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 2 June 2023
3. The amount for services is
Per
not applicable
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
Per
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 below the maximum fair rent of £157.50 per week.
[NAME] of decision 2 June 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 372.8
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 295.4
X 372.8 Minus Y 295.4 = (A) 77.4 (A) 77.4 Divided by Y 295.4 = (B) 0.2620
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.05 + 0.2620 = 1.5740
Last registered rent* £96 Multiplied by (C) = £157.10 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £157.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £157.10 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 11 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets fair rent of £600 under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent at £195 per week 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 Determines Fair Rent for Residential Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £139 Per Week for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets fair rent of £233 per week under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination for Tenancy Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
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
- Fair rent is calculated based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) and the previous registered rent.
- Fair rent is determined by the Tribunal under the Rent Act 1977, subject to capping provisions.
- Fair rent is set by the First-tier Tribunal based on the formula provided in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- Fair rent does not consider tenant-improvements or disrepair attributable to the landlord.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The fair rent for a property in Birmingham was set at £100 per week.
Who was involved?
A tenant and their landlord were involved, with the First-tier Tribunal making the decision.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court applied the formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to determine the fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The formula from the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999 was crucial in determining the fair rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant, setting a fair rent of £100 per week.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation can have their fair rent assessed using the same formula if they are in a Rent Act property.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The tenancy agreement and relevant financial details were likely important, as well as the specific provisions of the Rent Acts.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can often be appealed to the Upper Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
