Flat 1 8 Park Avenue Hockley Birmingham B18 5NE
Condition: Ground floor one-bedroom flat with evidence of water damage in the hallway and bathroom, a sagging bathroom ceiling, a dip in the flooring, and single-glazed timber windows; kitchen refitted about 3 years ago.
Evidence considered
- Landlord submitted average rents for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom properties in the locality (£1,018, £1,236 and £2,179 pcm respectively), plus rents for a single room (£275), a flat (£1,220) and a house (£1,355) pcm
- Tribunal gave limited weight to this evidence as the comparables were in better locations (Jewellery Quarter, B18) and of higher specification than the subject property
- Tribunal relied substantially on its own inspection findings and expert knowledge of local rental values
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined an open market rent of £700 pcm for the property in good condition, then adjusted downward for its poor condition (water damage, sagging ceiling, dip in flooring), tenant-supplied curtains, and the tenant's liability for internal decoration, giving £655 pcm (£151.15/week, rounded to £150/week). The landlord's comparable evidence was considered but discounted as relating to better-located, higher-specification properties in the Jewellery Quarter (B18). No tenant evidence was submitted.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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