82 Beaumont Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8HA
Condition: 1920s end-of-terrace house, EPC E, with some disrepair including poor loft insulation, defective double glazing seals, defective rainwater fittings, and a missing smoke detector, but otherwise structurally sound.
Evidence considered
- No comparable evidence was submitted by either party.
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge and general knowledge of rental values in the Worthing area.
- Tenant provided photographs and a local authority housing officer's report noting the property was 'basically a sound property' with some deficiencies but no damp or mould.
- Tenant proposed a rent of £1,400 pcm as realistic; landlord provided no evidence.
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the market rent of the property if modernised and in good condition at £1,700 pcm, drawing on its own knowledge of the Worthing rental market as neither party submitted comparable evidence. It deducted £75 to reflect disrepair issues (poor loft insulation, defective double glazing seals, defective rainwater fittings, missing smoke detector) and general condition shown in photographs, arriving at £1,625 pcm. The tenant's claim of undue hardship due to low housing allowance was not sufficiently evidenced to justify delaying the start date, so the new rent took effect from the date in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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