First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has set the maximum fair rent for a property at £1,013.50 per month. This decision was made using the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, which helps ensure that rents are fair and reasonable.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent capped according to 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 the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on the maximum fair rent for a property, setting it at £1,013.50 per month, excluding water rates and council tax but including service charges. The calculation was based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 230 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Ms [RESPONDENT]-Farey
Landlord Trustees of Glyn 1986 Settlement
Tenant Ms [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £1,013.50 Per month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 13 November 2020
3. The amount for services is 34.09 Per Moth
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
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
None
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 £ 1512.00 ................................................................................................................................................ per month including £34.09 per month for services.
(b) The fair rent to be registered is not limited by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, because it is the same as/below the maximum fair rent of £ ........ per .................. including £ ...................................... per ..............................for services (variable) prescribed by the Order.
Chairman Judge Hamilton- Farey Date of decision 13 November 2020
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AP/F77/2020/0027
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 294.3
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 269.3
X 294.3 Minus Y 269.3 = (A) 25.0
(A) 25.0 Divided by Y 269.3 = (B) 0.09283
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) 1.14283
Last registered rent* 886.50 Multiplied by (C) = £1013.12 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £1,013.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £1,013.50 Per month
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:
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- 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 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 tenant is entitled to have their rent capped according to the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The rent is recalculated using the Retail Price Index as per the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- No specific factors identified that went against the claimant in these 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 £1,013.50 per month.
Who was involved?
The decision involved a landlord and a tenant.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 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 that mattered most was the calculation method specified in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the tenant, as it set a fair rent that is reasonable and justifiable.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For tenants in a similar situation, this means they can rely on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to ensure their rent is fair and reasonable.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the current and previous registered rents, the Retail Price Index figures, and the relevant sections of the Rent Act 1977.
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 always recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent disputes.
