First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the maximum fair rent for a property using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Act 1977. This ensures the rent is fair and follows the correct legal procedures.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent calculated according to the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal calculated the maximum fair rent for a property using the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tribunal determined the maximum fair rent for a property using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Act 1977. The decision was made by Ms Aileen Hamilton-Farey on May 10, 2021.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00BK/F77/2021/0080
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Ms [RESPONDENT] [NAME]
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is 23303.00 Per Year (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 10 May 2021
3. The amount for services is N/A Per
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
N/A Per
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:
(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 £23,328.00 per Year.
[NAME]- [NAME] of decision Monday 10th May 2021
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 296.9
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 284.1
X 296.9 Minus Y 284.1 = (A) 12.8
(A) 12.8 Divided by Y 284.1 = (B) 0.04505
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 - NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) No
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.09505
Last registered rent* £21,280.00 Multiplied by (C) = 23302.75 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £23,303.00
Variable service charge YES / NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £23,303.00 Per Year
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 Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £188 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy Using Maximum Fair Rent Formula
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination: Applying Statutory Caps
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy 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) Tribunal Sets 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 tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Act 1977.
- The fair rent is determined by the Retail Price Index as per the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The Tribunal considers the property's condition and any improvements made by the tenant.
- The entitlement includes statutory caps on the maximum fair rent.
- The calculation takes into account relevant regulations and local scarcity.
❌ 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 using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Act 1977.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Retail Price Index and the Rent Act 1977 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 centered around the calculation method for 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 should ensure their rent is calculated fairly according to the law.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The Retail Price Index figures and the relevant legislation were crucial.
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 legal advice from a solicitor for cases involving fair rent calculations.
