First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
In this case, the First-tier Tribunal decided on the maximum fair rent for a rental property in London. The tribunal used the Rent Act 1977 and applied the Retail Price Index formula to determine that the rent should be £242.50 per week.
⚖️ Legal holding
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.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the RPI formula and capping provisions.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the Retail Price Index formula and capping provisions to set the rent at £242.50 per week.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR27 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. MAM/LON/00AU/F77/2023/0243
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], London, [POSTCODE]
Tribunal Judge H [NAME]
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT] & Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is 242.50 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 13 October 2023
3. The amount for services is Nil included 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).
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
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 £246 per week including £ 0 per week for services (variable).
Chairman Tribunal Judge H Lumby Date of decision 13 October 2023
FR27 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 307.4
X 376.6 Minus Y 307.4 = (A) 69.2
(A) 69.2 Divided by Y 307.4 = (B) 0.22511386
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.27511386
Last registered rent* 190 Multiplied by (C) = 242.271633 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 242.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services NA
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £242.50 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) Tribunal Caps Fair Rent at Maximum Level Under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenanted Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Tenancy
- 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 for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- 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 Property Considering Market Conditions
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 rent is capped at the maximum fair rent as prescribed by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The fair rent reflects current market conditions and does not exceed legal limits.
- The fair rent takes into account the actual condition of the property and any improvements made by the tenant.
- The fair rent is calculated according to the Maximum Fair Rent formula under the Rent Act 1977.
- The fair rent considers the market conditions and the property's characteristics.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The First-tier Tribunal set the maximum fair rent for a property at £242.50 per week.
Who was involved?
A tenant and their landlord were involved in determining the fair rent for a rental property.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal applied the Retail Price Index formula to determine the maximum fair rent under the Rent Act 1977.
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 application of the Retail Price Index formula to calculate the maximum fair rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
For the tenant, as it set a fair and capped rent amount.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a rental dispute can seek a determination of maximum fair rent under the Rent Act 1977.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The tribunal considered the Retail Price Index figures and previous registered rent amounts.
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 recommended to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
