Green light for BII rent adjudication system

The BII aims to make its low-cost rent adjudication system a pan-industry initiative.

The BII Council last night gave support to the Independent Expert Determination Service in principle. The group's chief executive Neil Robertson has been asked to talk to other trade bodies to form a "consortium" to move the proposal forward.

The service would allow licensees to use an independent rent expert for around £1,000 and obtain quick and binding results in rent disputes.

Pubcos, which are thought to broadly favour the scheme, would pay nearer £2,000. The Government is being asked to pay £100,000 towards it.

In February the BII revealed its plans for the service to the Business and Enterprise Committee. The BII is waiting for Committee's report, expected in the next few weeks, before taking action.

Robertson said: "The BII Council has discussed the Independent Expert Determination Service. They see considerable merit in the proposal and think it would be of great value to the industry.

"The council feels the government should support this and are very much looking forward to the Business and Enterprise Committee Report and meanwhile have asked me to talk to other industry groups with a view to forming a consortium to look at this."

Meanwhile, trade consultant Phil Dixon said the service will "fundamentally change our industry".

Dixon, a consultant to the BII, said: "It's definitely an improvement for licensees and is supported by those who genuinely want to see more transparent and fairer systems to resolve disputes in this contentious and emotional area."