19 Hean Castle Close, Runcorn, WA7 1JW
Condition: The property was found to be in overall good condition, requiring no adjustment to the comparable rents.
Evidence considered
- Landlord provided comparable properties in the same Hollystone Bank development with rents ranging from £1,195 to £1,250 pcm, given significant weight despite common ownership
- Tenant provided no comparable evidence, only an assertion that the increase was excessive and a counter-proposal of £1,050 pcm
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values alongside the landlord's comparables
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal accepted the landlord's comparable evidence of similar properties in the same development renting at £1,195-£1,250 pcm, finding that common ownership of comparables did not reduce their evidential weight. As the property was in good condition requiring no adjustment, the tribunal adopted the lower end of the comparable range, matching the landlord's proposed rent. The tenant's claim of undue hardship was rejected due to lack of supporting 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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