Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has decided on the maximum fair rent for a property. This rent was calculated based on the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to a maximum fair rent calculated according to the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977.
📜 Headnote Official document
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) determined the maximum fair rent for a property under the Rent Act 1977. The rent was calculated using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/00AU/F77/2022/0095
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 8 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME]
[COMPANY]
Tenant Miss [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £202.50 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 16 August 2022
3. The amount for services is
Per
not applicable
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
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 £530 per week.
Chairman Judge E [NAME] of decision 16 August 2022
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 340
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 283
X 340 Minus Y 283 = (A) 57
(A) 57 Divided by Y 283 = (B) 0.201413
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.251413
Last registered rent* £161.50 Multiplied by (C) = 202.10 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 202.50
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £202.50 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) Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent of £107.50 per week
- 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 maximum fair rent for tenant's property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property 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 maximum fair rent for tenant's property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Tenants Under Rent Act 1977
- 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 fair rent was set at £202.50 per week, excluding water rates and council tax.
- The effective date for the fair rent determination was 16 August 2022.
- The maximum fair rent was calculated using the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The previous registered rent was increased by the percentage change in the Retail Price Index.
- A 5% increase was added to the calculation because this was a second or subsequent application since February 1999.
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 at £202.50 per week.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used the Retail Price Index and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 to calculate the maximum 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 determining the maximum fair rent.
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 rent is calculated according to the Rent Act 1977 and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the previous registered rent 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 legal advice from a qualified solicitor for cases involving rent calculations.
