18A Downs Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2DX
Condition: Property has a dated bathroom in poor condition and general disrepair including damp and mould issues throughout.
Evidence considered
- Landlord's statement with comparable evidence (submitted 6 November 2025)
- Tenant's statement (submitted 1 December 2025)
- Tribunal's own expert and general knowledge of rental values in the area used alongside comparables
- A late submission from the landlord's agent (5 December 2025) was excluded as it was filed outside the directions timetable
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the open market rent for the property in good tenantable condition at £1,175 pcm, based on comparable evidence and its own expert knowledge of local rental values. Because the property was not in such good condition, deductions were made of £50 for a dated bathroom in poor condition and £125 for general disrepair including damp and mould, resulting in a determined rent of £1,000 pcm. A late submission from the landlord's agent was excluded for being filed outside the directions timetable. The tenant's request to delay the effective date on hardship grounds was refused for lack of evidence, so the new rent took effect from the date in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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