20 Roman Way, West Bromwich, B71 3NZ
Condition: Modern property with recently replaced boiler, though tenant noted landlord not maintaining communal areas.
Evidence considered
- Tenant cited larger 3-bedroom properties advertised for less than £1275, a new-build 2-bedroom detached property let at £1200pcm, and a 3-bedroom semi-detached house let at £975pcm, supported by 'To let' listing images (£975-£1200)
- Tenant also cited a similar 2-bedroom property let in April for £1250 but with one month's rent free incentive
- Landlord argued tenant's comparables were not sufficiently similar and submitted details of 3-bedroom semi-detached houses on the market at £1400pcm asking rent
- Tribunal weighed both parties' evidence against its own knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal considered comparable evidence from both parties, including the tenant's examples of lower-priced lettings and the landlord's higher asking-rent comparables, alongside its own expert knowledge of local rental values. Despite an internal valuation reference to £1125, the tribunal's formal determination fixed the rent at the landlord's originally proposed £1275 pcm. The new rent took effect from the date of the tribunal's decision rather than the notice date, due to hardship raised by the tenant.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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