The Pubs Code came into force on 21 July 2016 and applies to all businesses owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales. An important part of this is the introduction of the option for tied tenants to request a market rent only option.

About the Pubs Code

Pubs Code came into force on 21 July 2016 and applies to all businesses owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales.

The Code supports underlying principles:

  • fair and lawful dealing by pub-owning businesses in relation to their tied tenants
  • a tied pub tenant (TPT) should be no worse off than if they were not subject to any tie

The code entitles a TPT to:

  • Receive certain information to make informed decisions about taking on a pub or new terms and conditions
  • have their rent reassessed and receive a rent assessment proposal in certain circumstances, including if they haven’t had a review (or rent assessment proposal) for 5 years
  • request a market rent only (MRO) option (to go free of tie and pay only a market rent) in specific circumstances, including at a rent review or renewal of tenancy

A TPT in England and Wales has the right to take disputes about the Code to the independent Pubs Code Adjudicator. Fiona Dickie is the independent Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) appointed to oversee the operation of the Pubs Code.

Visit the PCA website for further information

The regulatory functions of RICS relating to Dispute Resolution Service are led and overseen by the Standards and Regulation Board (SRB).

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