26 Lodge Crescent, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN8 8BS
Condition: The property was found to have been let in good condition throughout and remained in good tenantable condition, despite tenant complaints about old carpets and a resolved historic mouse issue.
Evidence considered
- Landlord's marketing brochure from the start of the tenancy
- Recent inspection/condition report submitted by landlord's agent
- Details of similar properties recently let in the area at £2,000 pcm, given significant weight by the tribunal
- Tenant's written submission on condition issues (carpets, past mouse problem, redecoration) but no comparable rent evidence
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal accepted the landlord's comparable evidence that similar properties in the area had recently let at £2,000 pcm, and found the property to be in good tenantable condition throughout the tenancy. The tenant's self-funded redecoration at the start of the tenancy was not treated as a qualifying improvement warranting a deduction, and personal hardship/circumstances were held irrelevant to the market rent assessment. The tribunal therefore determined the market rent at the full £2,000 pcm proposed by the landlord, effective from the date specified in the notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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