First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal set the fair rent for a property at £475 per month based on the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, which uses changes in the retail price index to determine maximum fair rent.
⚖️ Legal holding
A landlord is entitled to set a maximum fair rent based on the retail price index and previous registered rent as prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a tenancy 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 tenancy 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. MAN/00EQ/F77/2025/0021 Notice of the Tribunal Decision Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 3 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE] Mr J Stringer, Tribunal Judge Mr J Faulkner, MRICS, Valuer Member Landlord [NAME] and [NAME] Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £ £475.00 Per Calendar month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 4th September 2025 3. The amount for services is £ n/a Per 4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is £ n/a Per 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 15% exemption/first registration.
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry n/a 8. For information only: (a) The fair rent to be registered is the maximum fair rent as prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. The rent that would otherwise have been registered was £ per including £ per for services (variable). (b) 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 £ per including £ per…. For services (variable) prescribed by the Order. Judge Mr J Stringer Date of Decision 4th September 2025
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION LATEST RPI FIGURE x 406.2 PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE y 189.9 X 406.2 Minus y 189.9 = (A) 216.3 (A) 216.3 divided by y 189.9 = (B) 1.139 First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999: NO If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 2.189 Last registered rent* 251.33 Multiplied by (C) = 550.17 *(exclusive of any variable service charge) Rounded up to nearest 50 pence = £ 550.50 Variable service charge: NO If YES add amount for services MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £ 550.50 Per Calendar 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 Committee'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) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Considering Tenant Improvements
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £800 per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Caps Fair Rent at Maximum Level Under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for property near railway line
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent After Tenant Improvements
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Crondall Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £975 Per Month for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent at £195 per week 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
- The maximum fair rent was calculated by increasing the previous registered rent by the percentage change in the retail price index.
- An additional 5% was added because this was a second or subsequent application for re-registration since February 1999.
- The final calculated maximum fair rent was rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
- The latest RPI figure used for the calculation was from the calendar month immediately before the determination.
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 tenancy at £475 per month.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved in setting the fair rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The decision followed the formula prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
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 calculation of fair rent based on RPI changes since previous registration.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
For the landlord, setting a higher fair rent than initially proposed.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
A tenant facing a rent increase should check if the calculation follows the prescribed formula.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The previous registered rent and RPI figures were crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, but only on points of law with permission from the Upper Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice for complex rent disputes.
