RICS has developed a low-cost, quick and easy arbitration procedure to help rural landlords and tenants resolve rent review disputes. The service can also be used for other rural sector disputes.

When it is time for a landlord and tenant to review the rent on a holding or tenancy, they can agree the new rental figure without having to go to arbitration. However, if the new rent has not been agreed by the date it is meant to take effect, an arbitrator (or independent expert) must be appointed.

The arbitrator will take evidence and inspect the property. He or she may also hold a hearing with the landlord, tenant and their representatives before deciding what the new rent will be. This can frequently mean that the amount of time and money parties will need to spend on the arbitration will be unclear. The process can be expensive and very slow.

The RICS Simplified Arbitration Service takes into account the fact that rural disputes need a different species of arbitration, which often requires a level of informality and conciseness that are not usually seen in commercial and construction arbitrations.

Why use the RICS Simplified Arbitration Service (SAS)?

The RICS Simplified Arbitration Service is: 

• A much more informal and relaxed procedure for dealing with disputes compared to courts and traditional approaches to arbitration. 
• An uncomplicated and straightforward process, which still allows both parties a reasonable opportunity to have their say. 
• Speedy and low-priced. The parties will know how long it is going to take to get a decision, and how much they will have to pay.