2 Egerton Gate, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes, MK5 7HH
Condition: The property, a modern 4-bedroom detached house, was found in very poor condition with excessive mould and condensation, roof space damage, leaking bathroom fittings, ceiling leaks, and defective flooring.
Evidence considered
- Tribunal relied on its own inspection findings of the property's condition (mould, leaks, disrepair) rather than external comparables
- Tribunal used its own knowledge and judgement of rental values in Milton Keynes to set a baseline market rent for the property in good condition
- A council improvement notice (Category 2 defects re mould/damp) was considered as evidence of disrepair
- No external comparable property evidence from either party was referenced in the decision
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 £2,500 pcm, then applied deductions totalling £840 pcm to reflect its actual very poor condition (tenant-provided flooring and white goods, leaking bath/shower/sanitary fittings, excessive mould throughout the house and roof space, poor decoration with ceiling holes, and other disrepair), arriving at £1,660 pcm. The tribunal found the landlord's proposed tenancy amendments shifting repair liability to the tenant invalid (unsigned/uninitialled) and proceeded on the basis repairs remained the landlord's responsibility; it disregarded the landlord's late evidence and his stated need to cover mortgage payments as irrelevant to market rent.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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