First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act Formula
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the fair rent for a Coventry property. The tribunal used a specific formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to determine that the tenant's rent should be capped at £208 per month, excluding water rates and council tax but including service charges.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent capped at the maximum fair rent as calculated by the specified formula under 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 (Property Chamber) determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula in the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999 to set the maximum fair rent at £208 per month.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CQ/F77/2023/0022
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 23 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]
[NAME] [NAME] [NAME] [APPELLANT]
[APPELLANT]
[NAME]. [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £208 Per Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 9 October 2023
3. The amount for services is £31.47 Per Month
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
None
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 £208 per month including £31.47 per month for services (variable) prescribed by the Order. The Market rent would otherwise have been £326.14 per month.
[NAME] of decision 9 October 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 296
X 376.6 Minus Y 296 = (A) 80.6 (A) 80.6 Divided by Y 296 = (B) 0.2722972
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) -
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 0.2722972 + 1.05 = 1.3222972
Last registered rent* £157 Multiplied by (C) = £207.60 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £208 per month
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services -
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £208 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.
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
[NAME] [NAME] [APPELLANT] [APPELLANT]
[NAME]. [APPELLANT]
2. The effective date is 9 October 2023
3. The amount for services is £31.47 Per Month
not applicable
5. The rent is not to be registered as variable.
None
8. For information only:
[NAME] of decision 9 October 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 296
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) -
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 0.2722972 + 1.05 = 1.3222972
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £208 per month
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services -
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £208 Per Month
Explanatory Note
The result is rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
[NAME] [NAME] [NAME] [APPELLANT]
[APPELLANT]
[NAME]
2. The effective date is 9 October 2023
3. The amount for services is £31.47 Per Month
not applicable
5. The rent is not to be registered as variable.
None
8. For information only:
[NAME] of decision 9 October 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 296
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) -
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 0.2722972 + 1.05 = 1.3222972
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £208 per month
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services -
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £208 Per Month
Explanatory Note
The result is rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Central London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines New Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Tenant Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy After Considering Scarcity and Property…
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Considering Market Conditions
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Using Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
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 calculation under the Rent Act 1977.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent that reflects the actual condition of the property and any improvements made by the tenant.
- A tenant is entitled to a fair rent that reflects the market conditions and the state of repair of the property.
- A tenant is entitled to a fair rent determined by the Tribunal, considering the property's condition and market comparables, capped by the Maximum Fair Rent Cap
- A tenant is entitled to have their rent capped at the maximum fair rent as prescribed by 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 tribunal set the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act formula.
Who was involved?
A tenant and their landlord were involved in determining the fair rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court applied the formula from the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999 to determine the maximum 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 formula in the Maximum Fair Rent Order 1999 was crucial for determining the fair rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The tenant's request to set a fair rent was granted.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a similar issue can use the same formula to determine their fair rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
No specific evidence is mentioned, but the tribunal used the relevant legal provisions.
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 advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
