9 Merchants Court 30 Diglis Road Worcester WR5 3BW
Condition: Ground floor one-bedroom flat with combined kitchenette, central heating and double glazing, described by the tenant as very small.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided comparables ranging £550-£695 pcm, but these were outside the local area (Diglis) and two were studio flats, so given limited weight
- Landlord provided comparables ranging £850-£995 pcm; the £995 pcm comparable was excluded as it included bills; remaining comparables were newer apartment developments
- Tribunal relied primarily on its own expert and general knowledge of local rental values rather than the comparables alone
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the market rent using its own expert knowledge, discounting the landlord's comparable that included bills and noting the tenant's comparables were not in the same area and partly studio flats. It set a starting rent of £780 pcm for the property in good order with white goods, carpets and curtains provided, then deducted £10 pcm because the tenant had provided curtains, reaching £770 pcm. The tribunal delayed the effective date to 27 February 2026 (the decision date) due to the tenant's evidence of financial hardship.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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