First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for London Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the fair rent for a property in London. The tenant requested a fair rent assessment under the Rent Act 1977, and the tribunal used specific legal formulas based on current economic indicators to set the rent at £812 per month.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their fair rent set by the First-tier Tribunal based on the applicable legal formulas and current RPI figures.
📖 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 determined the fair rent for a flat in London under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to set the rent at £812 per month.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR27 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. HS/LON/00AY/F77/2023/0211
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr A Ring
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £812 Per month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 10th October 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
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 below the maximum fair rent of £956.50 per month prescribed by the Order.
[NAME] of decision 10th October 2023
FR27 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 307.4
X 376.6 Minus Y 307.4 = (A) 69.2
(A) 69.2 Divided by Y 307.4 = (B) 0.225
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) 1.275
Last registered rent* 750 Multiplied by (C) = 956.25 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 956.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £956.50 Per Month
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 Using Rent Acts Formula
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £110 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Adjusts Fair Rent for Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenanted Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Caps Fair Rent at £168 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets £5,690 Annual Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination: £980 Per Month
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 set according to the Retail Price Index.
- Fair rent is capped at the maximum as prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- Fair rent reflects current market conditions and the state of the property.
- Tenant is entitled to a fair rent determination under the Rent Act 1977.
- Rent is capped according to the provisions of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The First-tier Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property in London under the Rent Act 1977.
Who was involved?
A tenant requested a fair rent assessment, and the landlord opposed it.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal applied legal formulas based on current economic indicators to set the fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's request for a fair rent assessment under applicable legal formulas.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
For the tenant, setting the fair rent at £812 per month.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
A tenant can request a fair rent assessment if they believe their rent is unfair under the Rent Act 1977.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The tribunal considered economic indicators and legal formulas to determine the fair rent.
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.
