Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on the maximum fair rent for a property, ensuring the rent is fair and reasonable according to the law. This decision applies the Retail Price Index to determine the rent.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent capped according to the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The maximum fair rent for a property was calculated using the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property, applying the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the rent based on the Retail Price Index.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. JM/LON/00BK/F77/2022/0194
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 42 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME]
Landlord [NAME] ℅ [NAME]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is 43,617.50 Per Annum (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 22 November 2022
3. The amount for services is not applicable Per
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
not applicable 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
Allocated off street parking space
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 £55,080 per Annum.
[NAME] of decision 22nd November 2022
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 356.2
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 292.7
X 356.2 Minus Y 292.7 = (A) 63.5
(A) 63.5 Divided by Y 292.7 = (B) 0.217
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.267
Last registered rent* £34,426 Multiplied by (C) = £43,617.42 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £43,617.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £43,617.50 Per Annum
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 maximum fair rent for property
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- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property using RPI
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for tenant
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for tenant's property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets 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 tenant is entitled to have their rent capped according to the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The tenant is entitled to a fair rent calculation based on the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The landlord's entitlement to a fair rent reflecting the property's condition and market value is allowed in part, showing some flexibility in rulings.
- The court consistently upholds the rights of tenants under the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The court allows the claim based on the statutory provisions for maximum fair rent.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- No significant factors identified that went against the claimant in the provided cases.
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 based on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved in the dispute over the rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Retail Price Index to calculate the maximum fair rent, ensuring it was fair and reasonable.
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 use of the Retail Price Index to calculate the maximum fair rent was crucial.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was in favour of the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation can rely on the same legal framework to ensure their rent is fair and reasonable.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The Retail Price Index figures and the relevant legislation were critical.
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 legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.
