43 Fitzroy House, Dwight Road, WD18 9AA
Condition: Second floor flat with central heating and double glazing; tenant reported water ingress/damp and non-functioning gated access.
Evidence considered
- Tenant cited several one-bed flats in the WD18 postcode closer to the town centre/station, renting from £1150 to £1565 pcm
- Landlord cited comparables within the same block: ground floor flats at £1400, £1425 and £1450 pcm, and first floor flats with small balconies at £1400 pcm
- Tribunal found the landlord's in-building comparables most persuasive but questioned the quality of the 'roof terrace' feature, treating it more like a balcony
- Tribunal also relied on its own general knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal gave most weight to comparables within the same building provided by the landlord, as the area itself (near business/light industrial parks) offered little direct residential comparison. It discounted the landlord's characterisation of a full roof terrace, viewing the outdoor space as more akin to a balcony, and balanced this amenity against the flat's second-floor location without a lift. Combining this analysis with its own expert knowledge of local rents, it determined a market rent of £1400 pcm, below the landlord's proposed £1450 pcm.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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