Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal decided on a fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, setting the monthly rent at £378 excluding water rates and council tax but including service charges. The decision was based on applying a specific formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their fair rent calculated according to the prescribed formula when seeking re-registration of rent under the Rent Act 1977.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula set out in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal determined the fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the formula set out in the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. The tenant applied to re-register their rent and the tribunal calculated it at £378 per month.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/44UF/F77/2023/0018
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 31 [ADDRESS] [POSTCODE]
[NAME] [NAME] [APPELLANT]
[APPELLANT]
[NAME]
1. The fair rent is £378 Per Month (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 9 October 2023
3. The amount for services is £29.34 Per Month
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is - 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
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 below the maximum fair rent of £398 per month including £29.34 per month for services (variable) prescribed by the Order.
[NAME] of decision 9 October 2023
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 376.6
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 301.9
X 376.6 Minus Y 301.9 = (A) 74.7 (A) 74.7 Divided by Y 301.9 = (B) 0.2474329
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) -
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.05 + 0.2474329 = 1.2974329
Last registered rent* £306.5 Multiplied by (C) = £397.66 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £398
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £398 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:
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent at £750 Per Month
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent of £165 Per Week
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Protected Tenancy
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Capped Fair Rent for Tenants Under Rent Acts
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Regulated Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Fair Rent of £552.50 Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fair Rent Determination: Applying Statutory Caps
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy 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 based on the Retail Price Index.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent determined by the Tribunal based on market rent levels.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent that reflects the current market conditions.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation under the Rent Act 1977.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent that reflects the property's condition.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tribunal set the fair rent for a property at £378 per month.
Who was involved?
A tenant applied to re-register their rent, and the landlord opposed it.
How did the court decide, and why?
The Tribunal used a formula from the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's application to re-register their rent under a specific formula.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
For the tenant, as they received the fair rent calculation they sought.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone can apply to re-register their rent under the Rent Act 1977 if they believe it is unfair.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The application form and relevant legislation were key.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can often be appealed to the Upper Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
