First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the maximum fair rent for a rented property in Sutton, Surrey. The tribunal applied statutory capping provisions and determined that the rent should be £225.50 per week, 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 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, considering RPI changes and statutory capping provisions.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property in Sutton, Surrey. The decision applied statutory capping provisions under the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to set the rent at £225.50 per week.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR27 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. SH/LON/00BF/F77/2023/0198
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 3 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Mr [RESPONDENT]
[COMPANY] (Exempt Charity)
Tenant Ms [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £225.50 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 4 September 2023
3. The amount for services is £11.05 Per Week
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
N/A 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:
(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 £236.44 per week including £11.05 per week for services.
[NAME] of decision 4 September 2023
FR27 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 374.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 305.5
X 374.2 Minus Y 305.5 = (A) 68.7
(A) 68.7 Divided by Y 305.5 = (B) 0.224877
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.274877
Last registered rent* £176.50 Multiplied by (C) = £225.02 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £225.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services N/A
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £225.50 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 Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Caps Rent at £284.50 Per Week
- 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 Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Regulated Property
- 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 Tenanted Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £552.50 Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Caps Fair Rent at Maximum Level Under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Capped Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £920 Per Month
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 fair rent was determined to be £225.50 per week.
- The effective date for the fair rent determination was 4 September 2023.
- An amount of £11.05 per week was included for services.
- The capping provisions of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 apply to this case.
- The calculation used a 5% increase because it was a second or subsequent application since 1 February 1999.
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 £225.50 per week.
Who was involved?
A tenant and their landlord were involved in the case.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal applied statutory capping provisions to determine the maximum fair rent.
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 statutory capping provisions under the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were crucial in determining the maximum fair rent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant, setting a lower rent as required by law.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a similar issue can seek to have their rent capped at the maximum fair rent under the applicable laws.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The tribunal considered statutory provisions and relevant financial data.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can typically be appealed to the Upper Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to consult with a qualified solicitor for legal advice and representation.
