Breaches

Duty to conduct a rent assessment in connection with a rent review required under the tenancy.

In 1 instance the POB did not issue a rent assessment proposal at rent review. PCA has given advice to the POB.

The rent assessment proposal must be provided to the tied pub tenant, in the case of an assessment conducted under regulation 19(1)(a), at least 6 months before the rent review date.

2 instances of a rent assessment proposal not being provided within the required timescale. PCA satisfied POB has taken appropriate action in the circumstances reported.

A pub-owning business must ensure that the Business Development Manager (BDM) provides tied pub tenants with a record of discussions in connection with matters set out in subsection 41(4)(a) within 14 days of the discussion. 

BDM notes of a large number of meetings between 2018-2024 were not sent within the required timescale, or not sent at all. Considering the substantial number of breaches, the extended time period involved, and the significant remedial actions taken by Star, the PCA issued a written censure to the POB in the form of a report available here.