First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Controlled Tenancy
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal set the fair rent for a controlled tenancy by using a specific formula from the Rent Act 1977. The decision ensures that the tenant's rent is calculated fairly and in accordance with legal requirements.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their fair rent calculated according to the specified formula when seeking re-registration of a rent-controlled tenancy.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the maximum fair rent.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HS/LON/00BJ/F77/2023/0218
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 25A [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME] (Lond) Mr [RESPONDENT]
Landlord [COMPANY]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT] (Jun)
1. The fair rent is 234.00 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 18 September 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
0.00 Per
Not applicable
5. The rent is/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)/ do not apply because 1st registration/15% exemption.
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
8. For information only:
(a) 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 £234 per week.
[NAME] (Lond) Date of decision 18th September 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 374.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 305.5
X 374.2 Minus Y 305.5 = (A) 68.7
(A) 68.7 Divided by Y 305.5 = (B) 0.224877
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 YES/NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.274877
Last registered rent* 183.50 Multiplied by (C) = 233.94 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 234
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £234 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 Maximum Fair Rent for Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum 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 Determines Fair Rent for Protected Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Protected Tenant
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Regulated Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £900 Per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Regulated Tenancy
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 fair rent was determined to be £234 per week, excluding water rates and council tax.
- The effective date for the new fair rent was set as 18 September 2023.
- The maximum fair rent calculation used the latest RPI figure of 374.2.
- The calculation used the previous RPI figure of 305.5.
- The calculation added 1.05 to the RPI change because it was a second or subsequent application since 1 February 1999.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tribunal set the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved in the case.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court applied the formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were used.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's right to have their rent calculated fairly according to legal provisions.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was in favour of the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone with a controlled tenancy can seek fair rent calculation through the same process.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Documentation related to previous registered rents and RPI figures were crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can sometimes be appealed to higher courts.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to consult with a qualified solicitor for legal advice on such matters.
