First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on the maximum fair rent for a property in West Midlands. They used the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation to set the rent at £118.50 per week, starting from November 24, 2020.
⚖️ Legal holding
The maximum fair rent for a property is calculated according to the Retail Price Index and 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.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property located in West Midlands, using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. The rent was set at £118.50 per week, effective from 24 November 2020.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Other
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/00CU/F77/2020/0022
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 9 [NAME], Willenhall, West Midlands, [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [APPELLANT]
Landlord J [APPELLANT] & Mrs [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £118.50 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 24 November 2020
3. The amount for services is n/a Per ---
not applicable
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:
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 £118.50 per week.
[NAME] of decision 24 November 2020
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 294.3
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 278.3
X 294.3 Minus Y 278.3 = (A) 16
(A) 16 Divided by Y 278.3 = (B) 0.05749
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.10749
Last registered rent* 107 Multiplied by (C) = 118.50 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 118.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services ---
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £118.50 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:
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- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
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- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Protected Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent 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 maximum fair rent is determined by increasing the previous registered rent by the percentage change in the Retail Price Index.
- A further 5% is added to the rent increase because this was a second or subsequent application since February 1, 1999.
- The calculated rent is rounded up to the nearest 50 pence to determine the final maximum fair rent.
- The latest RPI figure used for calculation is 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?
It set the maximum fair rent for a property at £118.50 per week.
Who was involved?
The landlord and tenant of a property in West Midlands.
How did the court decide, and why?
They used the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation 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.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The calculation method based on the Retail Price Index.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was neutral, setting the maximum fair rent as required by law.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should expect their rent to be calculated similarly based on the Retail Price Index.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the current and previous registered rents and the 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?
It is recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
