VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Rents

Asked by Ben ColemanLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 24 February 2026UIN 112044

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to (a) review and (b) amend the maximum fair rent inflationary index set in the Rent Act 1977.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

Regulated tenancies under the Rent Act 1977 are entitled to a ‘fair rent’ which is determined and registered by rent officers. The Rent Act (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 limits increases in registered fair rents to the change in the Retail Price Index plus a fixed percentage uplift.

The government has no plans to review or amend the inflationary index or to change the basis for calculating maximum fair rents from the Retail Price Index to the Consumer Prices Index.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim