First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent Based on RPI
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on the maximum fair rent for a property. They used a specific formula based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, considering the Retail Price Index (RPI) changes and additional percentages to calculate the rent.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a maximum fair rent calculated based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) changes and additional percentages as prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The maximum fair rent has been calculated according to the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, taking into account the Retail Price Index (RPI) changes and additional percentages.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. JM/LON/00BK/F77/2022/0192
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 26 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME]
Landlord [NAME] ℅ [NAME]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is 51207.00 Per Annum (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 22 November 2022
3. The amount for services is not applicable Per
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
not applicable 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) 7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
None
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 £79,560 per annum.
[NAME] of decision 22nd November 2022
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 356.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 292.7
X 356.2 Minus Y 292.7 = (A) 63.5
(A) 63.5 Divided by Y 292.7 = (B) 0.217
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.267
Last registered rent* £40,416 Multiplied by (C) = £51,207 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £51,207
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £51,207 Per Annum
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 Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for tenant under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent of £716.50
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Central London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent of £97.50 per week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for tenant based on RPI
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property 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 to the rent calculation because this was not the first application for re-registration since February 1, 1999.
- The latest RPI figure used in the calculation was 356.2.
- The previous RPI figure used for the calculation was 292.7.
- The last registered rent of £40,416 was multiplied by the calculated factor of 1.267 to determine the maximum fair rent.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
It set the maximum fair rent for a property based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used a formula based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate 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 applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the calculation method based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) changes.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should expect their fair rent to be calculated similarly, based on the RPI and additional percentages.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the previous registered rent and the latest RPI figure.
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 advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving fair rent determinations.
