12 Davidson Road, Dartford, Kent, DA2 6FZ
Condition: New-build house (2024) in good tenantable condition with only minor snagging issues (e.g. small mould patches, minor plasterwork cracks) considered typical for a new property.
Evidence considered
- Landlord provided evidence of three recent lettings of the same house type at £2,375–£2,400 pcm
- Landlord provided evidence of three recent rent reviews/increases for the same house type agreed at £2,350 pcm, given considerable weight as same-development comparables
- Tenant provided ONS rent statistics for Dartford and live rental listings suggesting £1,750–£2,000 pcm for similar properties, but tribunal found general statistics unreliable for valuing a single property
- Tribunal also applied its own knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal relied primarily on the landlord's evidence of six recent lettings and rent increases for the same house type on the same development (£2,350–£2,400), giving this considerable weight over the tenant's broader Dartford-area statistics and advertised listings, which it considered too general for valuing a single property. Historic minor snagging/repair issues raised by the tenant were found to be usual for a new-build and not to warrant a rent reduction. The tribunal determined a market rent of £2,350 pcm, matching the landlord's original proposed increase rather than the higher £2,400 sought by the landlord's agent or the lower range suggested by the tenant.
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.