29 Thistle Way, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 3PB
Condition: A modern three-bedroom semi-detached house with a combi boiler, two-zone central heating, double glazing, mixed carpet and wood flooring, gardens and off-street parking.
Evidence considered
- Tenant evidence: six comparable properties from Rightmove/Zoopla, including three-bedroom semis in the B71 postcode at £1150-£1300 pcm and four-bedroom properties at £1300-£1400 pcm - given significant weight
- Landlord evidence: Rightmove Best Price Guide listing two of the landlord's own advertised properties (not completed lettings) at £1500 pcm each - found inadequate and given little weight
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal preferred the tenants' comparable evidence of six nearby semi-detached properties advertised at between £1150 and £1400 pcm over the landlord's evidence, which consisted only of a Rightmove Best Price Guide showing two of the landlord's own advertised (not let) properties at £1500 pcm. Finding the landlord's evidence inadequate and lacking completed lettings, the tribunal adopted the tenants' evidence and determined the open market rent remained unchanged at £1360 pcm.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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