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Market Rent

Determination of market rents under assured and assured shorthold tenancies

The purpose of this guidance is to explain the procedures that will be followed once an application has been made under the Housing Act 1988 (“the Act”) to a Rent Assessment Committee (RAC) run by the Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS) by an assured or assured shorthold tenant.

Applying to a Rent Assessment Committee

An application to the Rent Assessment Committee can come about in one of four ways: 1. Where the landlord under an assured, or assured shorthold periodic tenancy has served a notice on the tenant  under section 13 of the Act, raising the rent to take effect at the beginning of a new period of the tenancy specified in the notice. The tenant may refer that notice to an RAC at any time before the proposed date of increase. If a notice is so referred the proposed increase will not take effect on that date, pending a determination by the RAC.

2. Where a tenant under an assured shorthold tenancy is dissatisfied with the rent payable under the tenancy. He or she is permitted to make an application to an RAC under section 22 of the Act for a determination of the rent, which, in the Committee’s opinion, the landlord might reasonably be expected to obtain under the assured shorthold tenancy. There is a time limit within which such an application can be made.
– If the tenancy is a fixed term tenancy that began before 28 February 1997 the application must be made during that fixed term.
– If the tenancy – whether fixed term or periodic – began on or after that date the application must be made within the first six months of the tenancy.

3. Where a fixed term assured, or assured shorthold, tenancy has ended and the landlord or tenant has by notice under section 6 of the Act proposed new terms for the statutory periodic tenancy that has automatically arisen. The recipient can refer the notice to the RAC for a determination as to the new terms and any consequential rent adjustment.

4. Where there has been an application to the RAC under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

What is a Rent Assessment Committee?

Despite its formal title the RAC is a tribunal of two or three people set up by law under the provisions of the Rent Act 1977. It is an independent decision making body which is completely unconnected to the parties or any other public agency. The Committee will look at the matter of the rent for the property following an application to the Committee. RACs are organised by Rent Assessment Panels which are part of the Residential Property Tribunal Service. There are five Panels in England.

Who is involved with a Rent Assessment Committee?

From the time that the application is received a number of different people will deal with the paperwork involved and the parties.
These include the following:

The Clerks
The clerks are the administrative staff who will deal with correspondence. When the reference or application is received it is the clerk who will begin to process the application. The clerk will continue to deal with the paperwork until you have received a final decision in your case. The clerks are able to speak to you about the processes and procedures relating to your application. They cannot give general legal advice or advise you about the law relating to your application. Each Rent Assessment Panel has a Panel Secretary who is responsible for the work of the clerks.
The Committee Members
There are two types of member: 1. The Chairman: he or she is appointed to be a Chairman by the Lord Chancellor. A Chairman may be a lawyer or a valuer (a surveyor who has expertise in valuation). Exceptionally, the chairman may be a lay person. The Chairman is responsible for the smooth running of the proceedings and will write up the reasons for the Committee’s decision. 2. Other members:Again, they may be lawyers or valuers or lay people. When a Committee is set up to consider an application there will usually be three, but occasionally two, members including the Chairman.
The Panel President
Each Rent Assessment Committee is made up of a panel. The panel has a President, assisted by one or more Vice Presidents. They are responsible for which members should be appointed to hear and decide on which particular case. The president will not necessarily be involved in the decision of each case, unless they happen to be on the Rent Assessment for that particular case. Their names are given at Annex.

THE PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE

What will happen once a Committee is appointed for my case?

The clerk to the Committee will write to both parties to inform them that an oral hearing is to be arranged. The parties will also be asked if they would like to make what are called “written representations”. Parties can choose not to have a hearing if they are content for the matter to be dealt with on the basis of the written representations and all other relevant available evidence (see below). Parties are advised not to produce documentation for the first time at a hearing; otherwise the hearing will often need to be adjourned to enable the other party to consider the new evidence.
In some cases there may be uncertainty about whether an application is valid or whether in the circumstances the RAC has jurisdiction in respect of an application. In such a case the parties will be notified and a hearing may be arranged to consider this preliminary issue. If the Committee decides that it does have jurisdiction it will go on to consider the main issue on the same date or at some future date to be arranged.

What is a hearing?

When a hearing is arranged the Committee will convene at a particular time and place for the purpose of enabling both you and the other party or parties to put your cases to the Committee. You can speak yourself or somebody else, whether professionally qualified or not, can speak for you. It could be a relative or friend for example. You will also be able to put questions to the other party or his or her representative if they are present. The Committee may also ask you some questions in order to make sure that it has all the relevant information to enable it to come to a decision.

What are written representations?

These are any comments made in writing to the Committee about what you think the rent and/or the terms of the tenancy should be and why. You can also send any other documents in support of your case. Any representations that are made by you or anybody on your behalf will be copied to the other party. Each of you will thus be given an opportunity to comment on any representations that are made by the other. You will also be asked to provide a copy of any written tenancy agreement under which the property is let if this has not already been supplied.

Will the Committee visit and inspect the premises?

Yes if requested by either party or the Committee considers it necessary. A visit is considered necessary in most cases. A visit will only take place on a date and at an approximate time notified to the parties .With the permission of the tenant the Committee will normally want to inspect the inside of the property as well as the outside and any common parts. The landlord is entitled to be present with the tenant’s permission. An inspection will usually be on the day of the hearing or decision. If the Committee is unable to gain access at the appointed time it may decide to make another appointment and adjourn the matter until then. Alternatively it may decide that it has sufficient information, including that obtained from an external inspection, to be able to go ahead and make a decision in the absence of an internal inspection.

Can the parties say anything at the inspection?

Both parties can draw attention to any physical aspect of the property that they wish the Committee to see, but not to make any oral representations (see above). Representations must be kept for the hearing (if any) or have been made in writing (see above). Thus it is quite acceptable for a tenant to point out, for example, a damp patch on the kitchen ceiling that is referred to in the tenant’s written representations that have been copied to the parties. By contrast it would, for example, not be permissible for the Committee, at the inspection, to listen to representations about rents of allegedly comparable properties in the locality.

THE HEARING

Is the Committee a court and will ordinary court procedures be followed?

No. Tribunals such as Rent Assessment Committees are decision-making bodies set up especially by Parliament to enable certain types of disagreements such as yours to be dealt with speedily and cheaply in a way that avoids the formality and cost that surrounds ordinary court proceedings.

Hearings are usually held in an ordinary committee room. Hearings are open to the public, although usually only the parties and their representatives (including a friend or relative), the Committee and the clerk will be present. The proceedings are orderly but informal.
The person who has referred the matter in dispute to the RAC is asked to put their case. They can be questioned by the other party who can then put his or her case and be questioned in turn. The sole purpose of the proceedings is to enable both landlord and tenant to put their case to the Committee in their own words or through somebody else acting on their behalf. The Chairman will seek to ensure that nobody is at a disadvantage by not being represented. He or she will make sure that both landlord and tenant understand what the other party is saying. The Committee may ask questions of a party present to make sure that it has all the necessary facts. A party present can also put questions to the Committee.

What happens if one or both of us does not attend the hearing?

The Committee will usually go ahead and make a decision even if one or both parties do not attend.

Can a hearing be postponed or adjourned by the Committee?

Yes. You have the right to ask the Committee to postpone or adjourn a hearing and indeed the Committee might decide to do this of its own accord. However, it will be done only if there is good reason and the Committee considers that one or both parties are not unfairly affected.

Can a tenant withdraw his or her reference or application?

The Act does not provide for this as such. However, the Committee is not required to continue with a determination if both parties give notice in writing that they no longer require a determination or if the tenancy has come to an end.

What happens if neither party asks for a hearing?

The Committee will inspect the property and then meet to consider its decision, usually on the same day. It will look at any written representations made by the parties and also have regard to its own relevant knowledge and experience.

THE DECISION PROCESS

How will the Committee make a market rent determination?

Following a Section 13 application the Committee will first decide whether it has jurisdiction (see Part 2 above). This may take the form of a preliminary hearing. If it decides that it does have jurisdiction the Committee will then proceed, under section 14, to decide what rent the landlord could reasonably expect to obtain in the open market if he were letting it on a new tenancy on the same terms as the present tenancy. It will thus have regard to rental values in the area for similar properties let on similar terms to those in the tenancy of the subject property. It is important to note that the rent determined by the Committee could be higher or lower than, or the same as, that proposed in the landlord’s section 13 notice. The effect of the Committee’s determination is dealt with in Part 5 below.

In the case of a section 22 application the RAC may only determine a rent if it considers

A. that there is a sufficient number of similar dwelling-houses in the locality let on assured tenancies (whether shorthold or not) and

B. that the rent payable under the assured shorthold tenancy in question is significantly higher than the rent which the landlord might reasonably expect to achieve having regard to the level of rents payable under those other tenancies. If both of these conditions are satisfied the RAC will proceed to determine what rent it considers the landlord might reasonably be expected to obtain under the tenancy.
The effect of the Committee’s determination is dealt with in Part 5 below.

What if the tenant has made improvements to the property?

The Committee must ignore any effect that certain qualifying tenant’s improvements would otherwise have on the rental value of the property. This is to prevent the landlord from benefiting from the improvements by way of a higher rent. By contrast any disrepair or defect that is attributable to a failure by the tenant (or a predecessor under the tenancy) to comply with the terms of the tenancy is to be disregarded. That is the property will be valued as if such disrepair or defect did not exist.

It is important to note that an assured statutory periodic tenancy will sometimes have arisen automatically by law following the death of a Rent Act 1977 regulated tenant. In such a case improvements carried out whilst the property was regulated by the Rent Act will not fall to be disregarded when the RAC determines a rent under section 14. Thus the rent will include the benefit of any such improvements.

What if the tenancy includes a charge for services?

If under the terms of the tenancy, or some other agreement, there is provision made for the supply of services to the property and/or any common parts the market rent will reflect the value to the tenant of these services. If, for example, the subject property is a flat in a development, the landlord might provide items such as a lift, cleaning services to the entrance hall stairs and landing, window cleaning, heating to the subject flat and/or the common parts and gardening in respect of common garden areas. The common parts are those parts of the development the use and enjoyment of which is shared with other tenants. A tenancy agreement sometimes separately identifies the amount payable in respect of services and refers to it as the service charge.

What if the tenancy says that the landlord can vary the amount payable in respect of services?

Some tenancy agreements will permit the landlord to alter the service charge from time to time (usually once a year) by notice. This will usually be related to changes in the cost to the landlord of providing the services. Such a provision is usually referred to as a “variable service charge”. For the purposes of sections 14 and 22 “rent” does not include any charge for services, repairs, maintenance, or insurance or the landlord’s costs of management the whole or part of which varies or may vary according to the relevant costs. (i.e. a “variable service charge”). This means that the liability for such charges will remain governed by the terms of the agreement between the landlord and tenant and they will be recoverable from the tenant in addition to the rent determined by the RAC.

Will the rent include council tax?

Council tax is normally payable by the tenant to the local authority and therefore is not included in the rent. However, if the tenancy is of part of a house which, for council tax purposes, is a “house in multiple occupation”, the landlord will be responsible for payment of the tax but the tenant can be required to reimburse the landlord. In these circumstances the rent determined by the Committee will include an amount in respect of council tax in so far as it is attributable to the specific part of the property that is let to the tenant.

What points should I make in my written representations or at a hearing?

You should point out anything that you consider would have a bearing on the rent that can be determined by the Committee according to the law outlined above. You can of course comment on anything that the other party has written or has said at any hearing. If you have made improvements to the property that you were not obliged to make by the terms of your tenancy it will help if you have receipts demonstrating the cost, although this not essential.

It would be very helpful if you are able to produce evidence of recent assured or assured shorthold tenancies of similar properties in the area. As much relevant detail as possible should be provided, if available – for example, the rent payable, the nature of the accommodation, its state of repair or improvement, whether it is furnished in whole or in part. If you are relying in particular on a specific property the Committee will make an external inspection of that property.

You might also wish to draw attention to any recently registered RAC decisions for comparable assured or assured shorthold tenancies of properties in the area. (Registers of section 14 and section 22 rents determined by RACs are available for inspection in the Panel Office).
You should also consider the possibility that the Committee will decide to endorse a rent increase. As will be seen below, that increase will take effect from the date of increase specified in the landlord’s notice. A tenant who considers that this would cause him or her undue hardship can seek to persuade the Committee that this is indeed the case and that the Committee should fix a later date for the increase to take effect. This date cannot be later than the date of the Committee’s decision.

What if my application is made under section 6?

As noted above this applies where, within one year of a fixed term assured tenancy coming to an end, the landlord or tenant has served notice on the other proposing new terms in respect of the statutory periodic tenancy that has automatically arisen. The notice can also propose an appropriate adjustment in the rent. If such a notice is served it is open to the recipient within 3 months to refer the notice to a RAC. If not the proposed terms, and any proposed rent increase will become operative from the date specified in the notice. If the notice is referred, the Committee will then determine whether the proposed terms, or some other terms, are such as might reasonably be expected to be found in an assured periodic tenancy of the dwelling-house. The Committee can also specify an adjustment in the rent whether or not this was proposed in the notice. It follows therefore that the parties can make representations to the Committee on the issues of both the proposed terms and rent for the property.

THE DECISION AND AFTER

When will the Committee make its decision?

Once the Committee is satisfied that it has all the necessary information it will make a decision.

How will I find out the Committee’s decision?

The clerk to the Committee will write to you and enclose the decision notice that tells you the rent determined by the Committee. You will also be sent either at the same time or soon after a copy of the written reasons for the Committee’s decision. These reasons may be in summary form or in full. They will be summary unless you have already asked for full reasons or the Committee deems it appropriate to issue full reasons. If summary you can within 21 days of receipt ask for full reasons. The Committee should issue these within 28 days of receipt of your request.

From what date will the amount fixed by the Committee be payable?

– In the case of a Section 13 reference to the Committee, unless the landlord and tenant agree to the contrary, the rent determined by the Committee will be the rent payable under the tenancy from the beginning of the new period specified in the landlord’s notice. But if the RAC considers that that would cause undue hardship to the tenant the Committee can substitute another date, which must not be later than that of the decision. The date from which the rent determined by the Committee will be effective will be stated in the decision document.

– In the case of a Section 22 application the rent determined by the Committee will have effect from a date determined by the Committee which must not be earlier than the date of the application.

What if it is a section 6 application?

In the case of a section 6 application the substituted terms, and any rent alteration, determined by the RAC will, unless the landlord and tenant agree otherwise, become operative from the date specified by the Committee which must not be earlier than the date specified in the section 6 notice.

Is there any appeal against the Committee’s decision?

You can appeal to the High Court, under the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992, if you consider that the Committee has made a mistake of law. You must do so within 28 days of the receipt of full reasons for the decision or within such longer period as the High Court might permit. Alternatively, if you consider that there has been a breach of the rules of natural justice you could, seek leave from the High Court to challenge the decision by way of a process known as “judicial review”. Such leave should ordinarily be sought not later than three months from the above date. You should take legal advice if you consider that there might be grounds for High Court proceedings.

If I am unhappy with the administration of my case, to whom should I complain?

If you have a complaint about the work of the Panel office you should write to the Panel President. If you are unhappy with his or her response you can write to the Management Board, at the RPTS Corporate Unit, 3rd Floor,Whittington House, 19-30 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7LR. (Telephone: 020 7446 7750). You will receive an acknowledgement within 2 working days of receipt of your complaint. A full reply will follow within 15 working days, or you will be advised of any delay. You are also entitled to ask your M.P. to ask the Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate your complaint.

Does the Human Rights Act apply to the RAC’s proceedings?

Yes. Parties to an application are entitled to the benefit of the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998. In effect, this entitles them to have their case determined in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Of particular relevance is Article 6 of the Convention, which provides that parties have the right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time and before an impartial tribunal. This includes their right to put their case and to question the case brought by the other party and to be given reasons for the decision of the RAC. Also relevant is Article 8, which provides that everyone has the right to respect for his private life, his home and his correspondence – any internal inspection of the property will only be undertaken with the consent of the occupier. In making their decisions, RACs are obliged to have regard to the rights embodied in the Convention and where possible to interpret legislation consistently with those rights.

Role of the RAC

Local Government and Housing Act 1989
This annex deals with the role of the RAC where a long lease at a low rent, that is governed by the above Act, has expired.

How does the RAC become involved?

The Act gives the landlord the option to serve a notice on the tenant terminating the long lease and proposing that the tenant who has remained in possession should have a monthly assured periodic tenancy at a proposed new rent. The proposed new tenancy will be on the same terms as the expired long term unless the landlord’s notice proposes different terms. The tenancy proposed by the landlord will take effect unless the tenant within two months serves a counter notice on the landlord proposing a different rent and/or terms.
If the tenant does serve such a counter notice the tenancy will take effect instead on the rent and terms (if any) proposed by the tenant unless within two months the landlord refers the tenant’s notice to the Rent Assessment Committee.

What is the function of the RAC on referral by the landlord of a tenant’s counter notice?

The RAC will first determine whether there is a dispute as to the terms and whether there is a dispute as to the rent.

Terms

If the parties are in dispute as to the terms of the proposed tenancy the RAC must resolve that dispute first. In so doing the Committee must determine whether the terms proposed in the landlord’s notice, the terms proposed in the tenant’s notice or some other terms are such as might reasonably be expected to be found in an assured monthly periodic tenancy of the dwelling-house.

Rent

The Committee must determine a monthly rent, which it considers might reasonably be obtained for the property in the open market under an assured tenancy on the terms which have been determined or agreed.

When will the Committee’s determination take effect?

The Committee’s decision takes effect three months after the date on which the reference is finally determined.

What rent is payable in the meantime following the termination of the long tenancy by the landlord’s notice?

On the date of service of the landlord’s notice, or at any time between that date and the date of termination of the tenancy, the landlord may serve a notice on the tenant in the prescribed form proposing an interim monthly rent. This will be the rent payable until the initial rent for the new tenancy has finally been agreed or determined as outlined above. However, within two months of service of the landlord’s interim rent notice the tenant may refer it to the RAC.
The Committee must then determine the rent at which the premises may reasonably be let in the open market by a willing landlord under a monthly periodic tenancy which (a) begins on the day following the date of termination of the long tenancy and (b) under which the other terms are the same as those of that tenancy and (c) which affords the tenant security of tenure equivalent to that afforded to an assured tenant by the Housing Act 1988.

What procedure will the Committee follow following a reference under the 1989 Act?

The procedure will be as outlined in this booklet with regard to section 13 applications (as to rent) and section 6 applications (as to terms) to which you should refer.

Annex C  RPTS addresses
Corporate Unit
Senior President: Siobhan McGrath
Operations Director: Michael Ross
RPTS Corporate Unit
1st Floor
10 Alfred Place
London WC1E 7LR
Tel: 020 7446 7750
Fax: 020 7580 5684

Northern Rent Assessment Panel
President: Martin Davey
Panel Secretaries: Marj Foster and Alison Lomax (job share)
Northern Rent Assessment Panel
20th Floor, Sunley Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester M1 4BE
Tel: 0845 1002614
Fax: 0161 237 3656

Midland Rent Assessment Panel
President: John Bettinson
Panel Secretary: Maureen McCabe
Midland Rent Assessment Panel
2nd Floor
East Wing, Ladywood House
45-46 Stephenson Street
Birmingham B2 4DH
Tel: 0845 1002615
Fax: 0121 643 7605

Eastern Rent Assessment Panel
President: Bruce Edgington
Panel Secretary: Ann Oates
Eastern Rent Assessment Panel
Great Eastern House
Tenison Road
Cambridge CB1 2TR
Tel: 0845 1002616
Fax: 01223 505116

London Rent Assessment Panel
President: Siobhan McGrath
Panel Secretary: Donald Brown
London Rent Assessment Panel
2nd Floor
10 Alfred Place
London WC1E 7LR
Tel: 020 7446 7700
Fax: 020 7637 1250

Southern Rent Assessment Panel
President: Robert Long
Panel Secretary: Mark Sumner
Southern Rent Assessment Panel,
1st Floor
1 Market Avenue
Chichester PO19 1JU
Tel: 0845 1002617
Fax: 01243 779389

Wales Rent Assessment Panel
President: Gareth Morgen
Wales Rent Assessment Panel
1st Floor
West Wing
Southgate House
Wood Street
Cardiff CF10 1EW
Tel: 029 20231687
Fax: 029 20236146

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