41A Salisbury Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9QY
Condition: Ground floor converted flat with reported damp, mould, roof leaks, rotten window frames and recurring heating/gas issues, in unmodernised condition relative to comparables.
Evidence considered
- Tenant referenced local listings showing similar-sized flats advertised above £650 pcm, but noted those were in good condition
- Tribunal relied on its own expert and general knowledge of local rental values rather than specific comparable transactions
- No comparable evidence was submitted by the landlord
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal started from a market rent of £900 pcm for the property modernised and in good condition, based on its own expert knowledge of local rental values rather than specific comparables. It then deducted £70 pcm in total to reflect the property's unmodernised condition and damp issues (£30), coin-operated utility meters (£20), and the tenant's own floor coverings/curtains (£20), arriving at a determined rent of £830 pcm. The tribunal also found undue hardship given the tenant's age, health (COPD) and limited income, and postponed the effective date of the increase to the date of the hearing/decision rather than the date in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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