41A Sydney Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 5RE
Condition: Ground floor converted flat with outstanding disrepair including damp/mould, damaged skirting boards and carpets, a faulty power socket, peeling kitchen cabinet surfaces, and damaged garden decking.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided two Rightmove comparables in Shirley at £850 pcm, considered by the landlord to be in better condition but not matching size/location of subject property
- Landlord provided three Rightmove comparables in SO15 ranging £975-£1,295 pcm for one-bedroom flats
- Tribunal relied on its own inspection, measured floor area (41.56 sq m), and its own expert general knowledge of local rental values to reach a baseline market rent of £950 pcm before condition-related deductions
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The Tribunal first assessed the market rent for the property in good tenantable condition at £950 pcm, drawing on the comparables submitted by both parties, its inspection, and its own expert knowledge of local rental values, while noting the flat's small floor area and awkward layout. It then deducted £125 pcm in total: £10 each for the tenant's provision of curtains and a refrigerator, and £105 for aggregate general disrepair (damp/mould, damaged skirting, carpets, kitchen surfaces, decking, and an outstanding electrical socket repair), arriving at a determined rent of £825 pcm, effective from the date specified in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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