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AllowedFirst-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)·

First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977

Case No.

📌 In brief

The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on a fair rent for a property in Essex. The rent set is £187.00 per week, effective from 11 September 2023, according to the Rent Act 1977.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is entitled to a fair rent set by the Tribunal in accordance with the Rent Act 1977.

Topics

fair rentRent Act 1977Tribunal decision

Provisions

Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11

📖 Technical summary

The Tribunal set a fair rent for a property in accordance with the Rent Act 1977.

📜 Headnote Official document

The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) set a fair rent of £187.00 per week for a property in Essex, excluding water rates and council tax but including fuel charges, effective from 11 September 2023, following the Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AR/F77/2023/0174

Notice of the Tribunal Decision

Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11

Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 28 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

[NAME]

Landlord [APPELLANT]

Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]

1. The fair rent is 187.00 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)

2. The effective date is 11 September 2023

3. The amount for services is Nil Per

negligible/not applicable

4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is

Nil Per

negligible/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)/ 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 below the maximum fair rent of £22.00 per week . [NAME] of decision 11th September 2023

FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION

LATEST RPI FIGURE X 374.20

PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 301.1

X 374.20 Minus Y 301.1 = (A) 73.1

(A) 73.1 Divided by Y 301.1 = (B) 0.24277640

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) 1.29277649

Last registered rent* 172.50 Multiplied by (C) = 1.29277649 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)

Rounded up to nearest 50p = 223.00

Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services

MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £223.00 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:

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 set by the Tribunal based on the Rent Act 1977.
  • The fair rent reflects the property's market value and condition.
  • The fair rent is determined considering the scarcity of similar properties in the local area.
  • The fair rent is calculated according to the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
  • The fair rent takes into account market conditions as per the Rent Act 1977.

❌ Tends to be rejected

  • The tenant's case was directed to another body for resolution, such as the First-tier Tribunal.

Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

The decision set a fair rent of £187.00 per week for a property in Essex.

Who was involved?

The tenant and the landlord were involved in the case.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court decided based on the Rent Act 1977 and set a fair rent that was reasonable for both parties.

Which laws or rules were applied?

The Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 was applied.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The argument centered around determining a fair rent that reflects current economic conditions.

Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?

The decision was for the person who brought the case, likely the tenant.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

Someone in a similar situation should consider bringing their case to the First-tier Tribunal if they believe their rent is unfair.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Evidence related to the property's value and economic conditions was likely considered.

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 legal advice from a solicitor for cases involving fair rent determinations.

Official source: First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) headnote and full judgment reproduced from the court's public records. View on the official source ↗Summary, holding, technical summary and questions: produced by Artificial Intelligence based on the official headnote and judgment. These are VadeLab’s own material and are not the work of the Court.This decision was issued by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and is reproduced from its published records. VadeLab is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, that court or tribunal.