Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for London Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal set the maximum fair rent for a property in London, applying an increase based on the Retail Price Index change since the last registration plus an additional percentage as required by law. The decision was made under the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
⚖️ Legal holding
A landlord is entitled to set the maximum fair rent based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) change since the last registration plus an additional percentage as prescribed by law.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977, applying the RPI increase and additional percentage.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property in London, applying the Retail Price Index increase and an additional percentage as prescribed by law. The decision was based on the Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AW/F77/2023/0106
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 37 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME]
Landlord [APPELLANT]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £8,066 Per Quarter (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 8 September 2023
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:
(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 £8,736 per quarter.
[NAME] of decision 8 September 2023
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 374.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 292.6
X 374.2 Minus Y 292.6 = (A) 81.6
(A) 81.6 Divided by Y 292.6 = (B) 0.278879
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.328879
Last registered rent* £6,069.50 Multiplied by (C) = £8,065.63 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £8,066
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services N/A
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £8,066 Per Quarter
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 Below Maximum Limit
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenant Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Determines Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal sets fair rent of £233 per week under Rent Act
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
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 was calculated by increasing the previous registered rent by the percentage change in the Retail Price Index.
- An additional 5% was added to the rent calculation because this was not the first application for re-registration since February 1999.
- The final calculated rent was rounded up to the nearest 50 pence.
- The latest RPI figure used was 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?
The Tribunal set the maximum fair rent for a property in London based on the Retail Price Index increase since the last registration plus an additional percentage.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved, with the First-tier Tribunal determining the fair rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court applied the formula set out in the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to determine the maximum fair rent.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The application of the Retail Price Index increase since the last registration plus an additional percentage as prescribed by law was central to the decision.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, setting a fair rent based on legal requirements.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should follow the same formula to determine their maximum fair rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
No specific evidence or documents are mentioned, but the application of the law was key.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Decisions from the First-tier Tribunal can typically be appealed to the Upper Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is always advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
