First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
📌 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 Retail Price Index to determine that the rent should be £177.50 per week, starting from August 10th, 2021.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent assessed according to the Retail Price Index and relevant statutory formulae.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property located at 128A Osbaldeson Road, N16 6NJ, to be £177.50 per week, effective from 10th August 2021, following the calculation method prescribed under the Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/OOAM/F77/2021/0141
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 128A [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]
[NAME] MA LLM FRICS
Landlord London and [COMPANY]
Tenant Mr & Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £177.50 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 10th August 2021
3. The amount for services is n/a Per Week
negligible/not applicable
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
n/a Per Week
negligible/not applicable
5. The rent is/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)/ do not apply because 1st registration/15% exemption.
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
8. For information only:
The fair rent to be registered is limited by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
[NAME] MA LLM FRICS Date of decision 10th August 2021
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 304.00
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 267.10
X 304.00 Minus Y 267.10 = (A) 36.90
(A) 36.90 Divided by Y 267.10 = (B) 0.138150505
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 YES/NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.188150505
Last registered rent* 149.00 Multiplied by (C) = 1.188150505 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £177.50
Variable service charge YES / NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £177.50 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 Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Maximum Fair Rent Using Retail Price Index
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Below Maximum Limit
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £122.50 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £136 Per Week Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenant 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 of £518.00
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's right to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Act 1977 is recognized.
- The rent is assessed according to the Retail Price Index and relevant statutory formulae.
- The maximum fair rent is calculated according to the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The fair rent takes into account the state of the property and market conditions.
- The entitlement to a fair rent set by the Tribunal is acknowledged.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- (No factors identified that went against the claimant in the provided cases.)
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 at £177.50 per week.
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 Retail Price Index to calculate the maximum fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument focused on the correct application of the statutory formula for calculating the maximum fair rent.
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 can expect their rent to be assessed using the same formula based on the Retail Price Index.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the previous registered rent and the latest Retail Price Index figures.
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?
Yes, it is recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving the assessment of fair rent.
