First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the fair rent for a rental property using the Retail Price Index (RPI) and prescribed percentage increase. The new fair rent is £164 per week, excluding water rates and council tax.
⚖️ Legal holding
A landlord must calculate the maximum fair rent using the RPI and prescribed percentage increase as per the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula in the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula in the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999 to set it at £164 per week excluding water rates and council tax.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CN/F77/2023/0037
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT] Mr [RESPONDENT]
Landlord BPT ([APPELLANT]) Limited
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £164 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 9 February 2024
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:
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 £185.50 per week prescribed by the Order.
[NAME] of decision 9 February 2024
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 379
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 308.6
X 379 Minus Y 308.6 = (A) 70.4 (A) 70.4 Divided by Y 308.6 = (B) 0.2281
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 + 0.2281 = 1.2781
Last registered rent* £145 Multiplied by (C) = £185.32 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £185.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services -
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £185.50 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 Fair Rent Under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £229.50 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Below Maximum Limit
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Post Landlord Improvements
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination for Residential Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £106.50 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 calculation must follow the formula in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The previous registered rent is increased by the percentage change in the Retail Price Index (RPI) since the last registration.
- A 5% increase is added to the calculation for second or subsequent applications since February 1, 1999.
- The calculated maximum fair rent is rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
- The latest RPI figure used is from the calendar month immediately before the Tribunal's 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 property at £164 per week.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved in the case.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the fair rent based on RPI changes.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The calculation of the maximum fair rent using the RPI and prescribed percentage increase.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
It is not specified which party initiated the case, but the outcome sets a fair rent based on legal requirements.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should use the same formula to calculate their fair rent under the Rent Act 1977.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The RPI figures and previous registered rent were key in calculating the new fair rent.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can often be appealed to the Upper Tribunal, but specific rules apply.
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.
