73 Durban Street, Smethwick, B66 3SG
Condition: The property was found to be in poor condition with damp, mould, peeling wallpaper, non-working fittings, and structural cracks.
Evidence considered
- Landlord submitted four comparable lettings in the local area ranging from £945 to £1,100 pcm for similar 2-3 bed terraced houses
- Tribunal's own inspection identified extensive disrepair (damp, mould, non-working fittings, structural cracks) used to justify a £250 pcm downward adjustment
- Tenant submitted photographs and a written statement describing disrepair but no comparable rental evidence
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the market rent for the property in good/modernised condition at £1,000 pcm based on the landlord's comparable evidence of similar local lettings (£945-£1,100 pcm), adjusted for the subject property's larger size and parking. However, its own inspection found significant disrepair including damp, mould, peeling wallpaper, a non-working gas fire, broken kitchen extraction and sockets, cracked walls and water penetration, warranting a £250 pcm deduction. The final determined rent was therefore £750 pcm, only £50 above the previous rent of £700 pcm.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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