First Floor Flat, 18 Pattinson Road, London NW2 2HH
Condition: Converted first floor Victorian flat, improved by the tenant during long occupation, otherwise ordinary lettable condition.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided comparable rental evidence of a single property in the area
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of rental values in the Cricklewood area plus Rightmove and Google Maps research
- Tenant's evidence of improvements made during 33 years of occupation led to a 25% deduction from the open market rent
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the open market rent for the flat (valuing it hypothetically as one of two flats, since the tenant had converted the building into a single house) at £1,650 pcm based on its own expertise and limited comparable evidence. It then applied a 25% deduction (£412.50) to reflect significant improvements made by the tenant over 33 years of occupation, arriving at £1,237.50 pcm. The tenant's request to defer the increase on hardship grounds was rejected due to insufficient evidence, 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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