39 Firbank Road, Dwlish, Devon, EX7 0NW
Condition: Semi-detached bungalow with small rooms, double glazing and gas central heating, affected by internal damp/mould issues and some disputed disrepair (fences, pipework, kitchen age).
Evidence considered
- Landlord provided details of local rental properties ranging from £650 to £900 per month
- Tenants provided details of local rental properties ranging from £650 to £825 per month
- Tenants provided photographs showing small areas of mould and a prior tenancy inventory
- Local Authority Housing Health and Safety Rating Assessment regarding mould and excess cold was referenced
- Tribunal relied on its own knowledge of rental values in Dawlish and surrounding villages
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the open-market rent for the bungalow at £800 per month using its own knowledge of local rental values and the comparable evidence submitted by both parties. It then deducted £20 per month to reflect the limited provision of white goods (only a cooker) and £30 per month to reflect internal damp/mould issues, arriving at a determined rent of £750 per month, matching the landlord's proposed figure.
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.