46 Blackhorse Lane Hitchin Hertfordshire SG4 9EN
Condition: A dated 1970s detached house with some disrepair issues reported by the tenant, including fallen bathroom tiles, a wc leak, window mould, and a damaged bath panel, though the landlord disputed being made aware of these and had recently installed a new boiler and shower.
Evidence considered
- Tenant cited a nearby, smaller, more modern three-bed detached house at £2000 pcm
- Tenant cited several three-bed detached comparables ranging £1750-£1850 pcm and a smaller property at £1400 pcm
- Landlord cited three-bed detached properties in less desirable areas achieving £1900-£2300 pcm
- Landlord cited a three-bed detached at £2000 pcm and a four-bed detached at £2150 pcm on Fairfield Park
- Tribunal also applied its own general expert knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal relied on comparable evidence from both parties and its own knowledge of local rental values in Hitchin. It set the rent at £2100 pcm, below the landlord's proposed £2150, to reflect the somewhat dated fixtures and fittings while rejecting the tenant's suggestion of lower comparable rents for smaller or less desirable properties.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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