131 Burroughs Drive, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5TW
Condition: Modern terraced house generally in reasonable order but with some disrepair items reported (broken freezer parts, faulty window/doors, broken oven, past leak/pest issues).
Evidence considered
- Landlord cited nearby comparable properties advertised at asking rents of £2,400-£2,600 pcm
- Landlord relied on an independent inventory showing the property was in good condition and professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy
- Tenant submitted photographs and the original inventory highlighting disrepair issues (appliances, windows/doors, past leaks and pest problems)
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values alongside the landlord's comparables
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the open-market rent for the property if modernised and in good condition, using its own expertise and the landlord's comparable evidence of asking rents (£2,400-£2,600 pcm), arriving at £2,400 pcm for a property in good order with white goods and curtains. It then deducted £100 pcm to reflect reported wants of repair (faulty appliances, windows/doors, and historic leak/pest issues), giving a determined rent of £2,300 pcm. The new rent took effect from the date in the landlord's notice as the tenant provided no evidence of financial hardship to justify a later start date.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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