101 Laurens Van Der Post Way, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3GW
Condition: Modern (built 2021) end-of-terrace house in generally good condition per landlord, though tenant reported some disrepair including draughty doors, condensation, and shed/gutter issues.
Evidence considered
- Landlord's agent provided extensive comparable evidence of four-bedroom lettings in the area, focusing on 8 three-storey semi-detached houses on the same estate letting at £1,800-£2,200 pcm
- Tenant provided comparable evidence including one similar four-bedroom semi-detached house let at £1,750 pcm
- Tribunal used its own general knowledge of local rental values alongside the comparables
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tenants did not dispute the proposed rent of £1,750, only objecting to the landlord's refusal of a fixed-term tenancy (not a matter for the Tribunal). The Tribunal relied on extensive comparable evidence for four-bedroom semi-detached houses on the same estate, which let in the range £1,800-£2,200 per month, and the tenant's own comparable of a similar house at £1,750, and took into account tenant-reported disrepair issues. It concluded the achievable open market rent in current condition was £1,750 per month, matching the landlord's proposed figure, effective from the date in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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