First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent of £122.03 Per Week
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal has decided on a new fair rent for a property, setting it at £122.03 per week. This includes service charges but excludes water rates and council tax, according to the Rent Act 1977 and related regulations.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Act 1977, considering the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal sets a new fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined a new fair rent of £122.03 per week for a property, excluding water rates and council tax but including service charges, following calculations under the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. MAN/00CL/F77/2023/0085
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 11 Aged Miners Homes, Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear, [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mrs [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £122.03 Per Week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 15 January 2024
3. The amount for services is £42.03 Per Week
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is not applicable
5. The rent is 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:
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 £134.03 per Week including £42.03 per week for services (variable) prescribed by the Order.
[NAME] of decision 15 January 2024
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 377.3
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 314.3
X 377.3 Minus Y 314.3 = (A) 63.0
(A) 63.0 Divided by Y 314.3 = (B) 0.2004
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999: NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.2504
Last registered rent* 73.50 Multiplied by (C) = 91.91 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 92.00
Variable service charge YES If YES add amount for services 42.03
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £134.03 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) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £100 Per Week for Nottingham Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent of £212 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenants
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) New Fair Rent Set for Tenancy Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for London Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £229.50 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy at £204 Per Week
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 determined to be £122.03 per week, excluding water rates and council tax.
- The effective date for the fair rent calculation was set as 15 January 2024.
- An amount of £42.03 per week was included for services in the fair rent calculation.
- The rent was registered as variable, indicating that the service charge could change.
- The maximum fair rent was calculated using the Retail Price Index, increasing the previous rent by the percentage change.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
It set a new fair rent of £122.03 per week for a property.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court followed the calculations under the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
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 calculation of the fair rent using the Retail Price Index.
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 fair rent is calculated correctly under the relevant legislation.
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 cases involving fair rent determinations.
