47 Purlin Wharfe Netherton Dudley DY2 9PQ
Condition: First floor flat in a modern three-storey block with double glazing and fitted space heating.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided a service charge schedule totalling £163.43 per month, accepted in full and added to the assessed occupational rent.
- No comparable market evidence was submitted by either party; the Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values to assess market rent at £825.00 per month excluding service charge.
- Tribunal applied a longstanding 20% discount for low paid workers (in place since 2009) to the assessed market rent, reducing it to £660.00 before adding back the service charge.
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The Tribunal assessed the open market rent at £825.00 per month excluding the service charge, based on its own expert and general knowledge of local rental values, as neither party submitted comparable evidence. A 20% discount for low paid workers, applied since 2009 and assumed to still apply, reduced the occupational rent to £660.00, to which the agreed service charge of £163.43 was added, giving a total determined rent of £823.43 per month.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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