The Fair Rents Regime

The majority of private sector tenants who have exclusive occupation of their homes and who entered into their tenancy agreements prior to 15 January 1989 (the date on which Part I of the 1988 Housing Act came into force) are usually referred to as ‘regulated’ or ‘protected tenants’. These tenancies are still subject to rent control governed by the 1977 Rent Act – the affected tenants are entitled to have a ‘fair rent’ (also referred to as a registered rent) set on their properties by a Valuation Office Agency Rent Officer.

This note explains who is entitled to a ‘fair rent’ and how these rents are set.

The rights of regulated tenants, including reference to fair rents, are summarised in a DCLG leaflet: Regulated tenancies (April 2009).