Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decided on the maximum fair rent for a property, using calculations based on the Retail Price Index and the Rent Act 1977.
⚖️ Legal holding
The maximum fair rent for a property is 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, considering the Retail Price Index and relevant orders.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
FR24 First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. BIR/37UD/F77/2021/0034
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were 82 [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
[NAME] Mr [RESPONDENT]
[COMPANY]
Tenant Mrs [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £5825.00 Per Annum (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 21 October 2021
3. The amount for services is £123.24 Per Annum
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is N/A Per N/A
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
N/A
8. For information only:
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 £8640.00 per annum including £123.24 per annum for services.
[NAME] of decision 21/10/2021
FR24 MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 307.4
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 289.6
X 307.4 Minus Y 289.6 = (A) 17.8 (A) 17.8 Divided by Y 289.6 = (B) 0.061464
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C) N/A
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.111464
Last registered rent* 5408 Multiplied by (C) = 6010.8 *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = 6011.00
Variable service charge NO If YES add amount for services N/A
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £6011.00 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:
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- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Brighton Property at £231 Weekly
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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 is calculated using the Retail Price Index.
- The claim relies on the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
- The Tribunal considers the property's condition and market comparables.
- The claim includes adjustments for relevant differences in the property.
- The claim is based on the previous registered rent and the Retail Price Index.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The claim does not strictly adhere to the statutory maximum fair rent limits.
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 under the Rent Act 1977.
Who was involved?
The decision involved a landlord and a tenant.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used a formula based on the Retail Price Index 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, setting a lower maximum fair rent.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should consider the Retail Price Index and relevant orders when seeking to determine fair rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the current and previous registered rents 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?
Yes, it is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor.
