First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the fair rent for a rental property in London. The tenant was entitled to have their rent capped at the maximum fair rent as prescribed by law, which was calculated and set at £2,890 per quarter.
⚖️ 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 fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula from 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 in London, applying the formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to set the rent at £2,890 per quarter.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR27 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. MM/LON/00AW/F77/2023/0215
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]
Landlord M & R [APPELLANT]
Tenant [NAME]
1. The fair rent is £2,890 Per Quarter (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 12 September 2023
3. The amount for services is £224.50 Per Quarter
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 £4,076.90 per quarter including £224.50 per quarter for services.
[NAME] of decision 12 September 2023
FR27 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 374.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 292.6
X 374.2 Minus Y 292.6 = (A) 81.6
(A) 81.6 Divided by Y 292.6 = (B) 0.278879
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.328879
Last registered rent* £2,174.50 Multiplied by (C) = £2,889.65 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £2,890
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services N/A
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £2,890 Per Quarter
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 11 similar decisions in this collection:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenanted Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Tenancy
- 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
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £900 Per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Regulated Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) 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 Protected Tenant
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 capped because the capping provisions of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 applied.
- 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 calculation because this was a second or subsequent application for re-registration since 1 February 1999.
- The final calculated rent was rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
- The latest RPI figure used was 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 determined the maximum fair rent for a rental property in London.
Who was involved?
A tenant and their landlord were involved in the case.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court applied the formula from 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 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 was 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 fair rent as required by law.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone facing a similar issue can rely on the same legal formula to argue for their maximum fair rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The relevant rental agreement and previous registered rent were key pieces of information.
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 legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
