17 Chase Court, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3BT
Condition: Two-bed upper-floor maisonette on the Newtown estate near Thetford town centre, backing onto a busy arterial road; recently fitted with new electric storage/panel heaters and double glazed. At the valuation date the property was subject to a council Improvement Notice for Category 1 excess cold and Category 2 damp/mould, including a defective, draughty front door and missing trickle vents; by the decision date the council had reinspected and revoked the notice, with only minor snagging issues remaining.
Evidence considered
- Landlord believed median local rents were £975–£1,000 pcm per Rightmove, and consulted local agents who suggested £950 pcm was appropriate for the property's condition
- Landlord: a comparable 3-bed flat nearby (Dial House), of higher specification with allocated parking, advertised at £950 pcm
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
Making allowance for the higher specification of the landlord's comparable, and relying on its own market knowledge, the tribunal valued the property at around £900 pcm. It made no further deduction for the disrepair, since the landlord had promptly remedied it and the council had since revoked the Improvement Notice leaving only minor snagging issues, so the market rent stayed at £900 pcm — the same as the current rent, with no increase allowed.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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