1 Holywell Close, Swanmore, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2FT
Condition: The property is in good overall condition with modern kitchen and bathroom fittings, though some minor disrepair items (heating control, dishwasher) were outstanding at the relevant date.
Evidence considered
- Landlord's 'Best Price Guide' of four comparable lettings in Swanmore (three four-bedroom houses at £2,100-£3,500 pcm and the subject property itself let at £2,000 pcm in 2025)
- Tenants' comparable listings of three-bedroom houses in Swanmore/Bishop's Waltham marketed at £1,550-£2,000 pcm, purpose-built developments at £1,870-£1,875 pcm, and four-bedroom houses at £1,995-£2,100 pcm
- Tribunal gave most weight to the subject property's own recent letting history over other third-party comparables
- Tribunal also relied on its own general expert knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined the rent between the tenants' assessment (£1,950) and the landlord's proposed increase (£2,150), attributing most weight to the subject property's own recent letting (agreed August 2025 at £2,000 pcm) and the landlord's comparable evidence, while also considering the tenants' comparables of similar three-bedroom houses. Disputed factors (garage/home office conversion, solar panels, part furnishing, air conditioning, broadband, hot tub servicing, disrepair items, transport links) were treated as too minor individually to justify specific line-item adjustments, so the Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge to settle on a figure reflecting a modest increase over the current rent.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
Want the evidence, not just the decision?
Around half of the decisions in this database cite a problem with the evidence submitted — comparable tribunal outcomes are usually what decides these cases, for both sides. We're testing a paid evidence pack and a guided walkthrough of the application, built from this database.
Landlord evidence pack — from £15
Nearby tribunal outcomes, a rent level likely to survive a challenge, and an evidence pack in the format the tribunal expects — timed for when you serve a section 13 notice.
Register interest in the landlord packTenant pack — from £19
Whether challenging your rent increase is worth it, plus the comparable decisions to include with your MR1 application to the tribunal.
Register interest in the tenant packNot built yet — register your interest by email and we'll let you know when it's ready. This isn't legal advice; see the law and free advice options.