Tribunal Sets Maximum Fair Rent for Property Under Rent Act 1977
📌 In brief
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has decided on the maximum fair rent for a property. This means the rent cannot exceed a certain amount based on the Retail Price Index and relevant laws.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their rent capped according to the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
📖 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, ensuring it adheres to the Retail Price Index and relevant legislation.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber File Ref No. LON/OOAZ/F77/2021/0121
Notice of the Tribunal Decision
Rent Act 1977 Schedule 11
Address of Premises The Tribunal members were [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
Mr [APPELLANT] MA LLM FRICS
Landlord London & Quadrant
Tenant Miss [APPELLANT]
1. The fair rent is £122.00 Per week (excluding water rates and council tax but including any amounts in paras 3&4)
2. The effective date is 31st August 2021
3. The amount for services is n/a Per week
negligible/not applicable
4. The amount for fuel charges (excluding heating and lighting of common parts) not counting for rent allowance is
n/a Per week
negligible/not applicable
5. The rent is/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)/ do not apply because 1st registration/15% exemption.
7. Details (other than rent) where different from Rent Register entry
8. For information only:
The fair rent to be registered is limited by the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999.
[NAME] MA LLM FRICS Date of decision 31st August 2021
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT CALCULATION
LATEST RPI FIGURE X 304.00
PREVIOUS RPI FIGURE Y 257.70
X 304.00 Minus Y 257.70 = (A) 44.30
(A) 44.30 Divided by Y 257.70 = (B) 0.17190531
First application for re-registration since 1 February 1999 YES/NO
If yes (B) plus 1.075 = (C)
If no (B) plus 1.05 = (C) 1.221905
Last registered rent* £99.50 per week Multiplied by (C) = £121.57 per week *(exclusive of any variable service charge)
Rounded up to nearest 50p = £122.00 per week
Variable service charge YES / NO If YES add amount for services
MAXIMUM FAIR RENT = £122.00 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:
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- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets fair rent for tenant under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal sets maximum fair rent for property
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Tribunal Sets Fair Rent for Tenancy Under Rent Act 1977
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) First-tier Tribunal Sets Maximum 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 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
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 £122.00 per week, excluding water rates and council tax.
- The effective date for the new fair rent was determined to be 31st August 2021.
- The capping provisions of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 were applied to limit the registered fair rent.
- The maximum fair rent calculation used the latest RPI figure of 304.00 and the previous RPI figure of 257.70.
- The calculation included an addition of 1.05 to the RPI percentage change, indicating it 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.
Who was involved?
The tenant and the landlord were involved.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court used 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 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 can expect their rent to be capped according to the Retail Price Index.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The Retail Price Index figures and the relevant legislation were crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions like this can be appealed to higher courts.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
Yes, it's recommended to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor.
