357A Church Road, St. George, Bristol, BS5 8AQ
Condition: Ground-floor conversion flat with gas central heating and double glazing, kitchen, lounge, one bedroom, a bathroom with shower, an under-stairs utility cupboard and a patio. The tenant alleged extensive disrepair (structural movement, sloping floors, deteriorating drainage, defective glazing, faulty extractor fans, damp/mould, rodent activity, deteriorating kitchen units, blocked gutters); a council inspection found genuine cause for concern about possible pest activity but could not confirm the more serious structural/drainage allegations.
Evidence considered
- Tenant: photographs, an audio recording and a video, plus a Bristol City Council environmental health inspection letter — the council could not confirm an active pest infestation or the alleged structural/drainage defects, though it advised pest-control measures as a precaution
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The landlord withdrew reliance on its own notice of increase during proceedings, but the tribunal retained jurisdiction because the tenant had not withdrawn her application. Without independent evidence supporting most of the tenant's more serious disrepair allegations (beyond a council recommendation on possible pest activity), the tribunal did not accept a rent reduction was warranted, and determined the market rent should continue at £900 pcm — unchanged.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
Want the evidence, not just the decision?
Around half of the decisions in this database cite a problem with the evidence submitted — comparable tribunal outcomes are usually what decides these cases, for both sides. We're testing a paid evidence pack and a guided walkthrough of the application, built from this database.
Landlord evidence pack — from £15
Nearby tribunal outcomes, a rent level likely to survive a challenge, and an evidence pack in the format the tribunal expects — timed for when you serve a section 13 notice.
Register interest in the landlord packTenant pack — from £19
Whether challenging your rent increase is worth it, plus the comparable decisions to include with your MR1 application to the tribunal.
Register interest in the tenant packNot built yet — register your interest by email and we'll let you know when it's ready. This isn't legal advice; see the law and free advice options.