Fair Rent

What is a Fair Rent?

Fair Rents are a form of rent control applicable for most private sector rented accommodation without a residential landlord and which was let before 15 January 1989. The Rent Act 1977 provides the rules for setting Fair Rents and the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 limits the amount of rent that can be charged by linking increases to the Retail Prices Index. Further information is available in the Information leaflets listed below.

Please make sure you send completed application forms to :

Network Support Office – Housing Allowance
Wycliffe House
Green Lane
Durham
DH1 3UW

Fax Numbers: 0191 374 2142 / 2143/ 2144
E-Mail: NSOhelpdesk@voa.gsi.gov.uk

Fair Rent FAQ

Name / Link	Subject	Detail	Type	Link
The Role of the Rent Officer and Rent Assessment Committee	Fair Rent	This leaflet explains the role of the Rent Officer, the Rent Assessment Committee and how the two will work together as and when required. Braille and spoken word versions available on request	Information leaflet
Understanding your Registered Rent	Fair Rent	This leaflet is a general guide to the register sheet and the registration process. It is not intended as a guide to landlord and tenant law. If you are not sure about anything on the rent register sheet or in this leaflet, you can ask us for more information. If you have questions about your legal rights or obligations, you should ask a solicitor or a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Braille and spoken word versions available on request	Information leaflet
Application for Registration of Rent (RR1)	Fair Rent Registration	Registering your fair rent by completing the RR1 application form .	Application form
Application for Registration of Rent (RR1A)	Fair Rent Registration	Registering a fair rent in the case of a statutory tenancy arising at the end of a long tenancy under Part I of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.	Application form
Application for Registration of Rent (RR1C)	Fair Rent Registration	Registering a fair rent for Statutory Tenants under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976.	Application form
Joint Application for Cancellation of a Registered Rent (RR103)	Joint Fair Rent Cancellation	Not for use where the landlord is a registered Housing Association or the registration is under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 Joint application for the cancellation of a registered rent.	Application form
Application for Cancellation of Registration of Rent (RR104)	Fair Rent Cancellation	Not for use where the landlord is a registered Housing Association or the registration is under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 Application for the cancellation of Registered rent where there is no regulated tenancy	Application form
Agricultural Workers and Fair Rents	Agricultural Tenancy	This leaflet gives basic details about agricultural workers and fair rents. The registration and objection procedure is covered in more detail in another leaflet ‘The role of the rent officer and the rent assessment committee’. If you need more information or want more detail, please contact the Valuation Office Agency	Information Leaflet
Notice of Increase form	Regulated tenancy	Published @ http://www.oyezformslink.co.uk/topsellers.asp. You will have to pay for a copy of this form (£4 for one form). Please note these forms are not provided by The Valuation Office.	Application form

Frequently asked questions about Fair Rent

1) What do you mean by a Fair Rent?

The Rent Officer can register Fair Rents for most privately rented accommodation which was let before 15 January 1989. This is allowed for in the Rent Act 1977.

Landlords or tenants can apply to the Rent Officer for a rent to be registered. They can apply jointly if they want or on their own. There is no charge for this service. Rents can generally be re-registered every two years to keep them up-to-date by either landlord or tenant, or earlier if a significant change takes place. A joint application by both landlord and tenant can be made at any time.

2) How often can an application be made to have a Fair Rent registered?

The landlord can apply 1 year and 9 months after the effective date of the last registration, however the new registered rent will not become effective until the two year period has elapsed.

An application can be made at any time if it is made jointly by the landlord and tenant or there has been a change of circumstances that makes the old rent no longer fair.

3) Can a landlord or tenant apply jointly to have the rent registered on a property?

Yes at anytime, the date the new rent is registered will also become the new effective date.

4) Does my landlord have to serve a notice of increase of a registered rent (Fair Rent) on a property?

Yes, the landlord is required to serve a notice of increase on the tenant. There is a prescribed form known as 'notice of increase' form no 1 which is available from legal stationers.

5) Where can I find the application form to register a Fair Rent.

Application for registration of Fair Rent form - PDF

Application for registration of Fair Rent form - Word

6) I have received notification from my landlord that my registered rent (Fair Rent) has been increased. I am not able to afford the increase. What can I do?

Contact your local authority Housing Benefit office and they will send an application form for you to complete. You may be entitled to either full or partial benefit. Please let them know if you have a special requirement when you request the application form e.g. large print.