First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on a new fair rent for a property, ensuring it complies with the Rent Act 1977 and current economic conditions.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Act 1977, taking into account 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 for a property under the Rent Act 1977, considering the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AJ/F77/2021/0145
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME]
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mr [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is 11904.00 Per Year (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 24 May 2021
3. The amount for services is 615.37 Per Year
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 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 not limited by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999, because it is below the maximum fair rent of £12.595.00 per Year including £615.37 per Year for services.
[NAME] of decision Tuesday 25th May 2021
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 296.9
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 283.00
X 296.9 Minus Y 283.0 = (A) 13.9
(A) 13.9 Divided by Y 283.0 = (B) 0.[PHONE]
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.[PHONE]
Last registered rent* £11,450.00 Multiplied by (C) = 12,584.88516 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £12,585.00
Variable service charge YES / NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £12,585.00 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) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £135.97 Per Week for Tenant
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets fair rent of £1,102.50 per month under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Determines New Fair Rent for Tenant Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination Under the Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets New Fair Rent of £250.50 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 calculated to be 11904.00 per year, excluding water rates and council tax.
- The effective date for the fair rent calculation was determined to be 24 May 2021.
- An amount of 615.37 per year was included for services in the fair rent calculation.
- The maximum fair rent was calculated by increasing the previous registered rent by the percentage change in the retail price index.
- A 5% increase was added to the calculation because it was a second or subsequent application since 1 February 1999.
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 for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Retail Price Index and relevant regulations to calculate the 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 fair rent under the Rent Act 1977.
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 calculation follows the Rent Act 1977 guidelines.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The Retail Price Index figures and the relevant regulations 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?
Yes, it's recommended to seek legal advice from a solicitor for such cases.
