Flat 15, Filby House, Pitcher Lane, Ashford, Surrey, TW15 2EA
Condition: Modern purpose-built third-floor flat with central heating, double glazing, wooden floors and carpets, fitted kitchen and bathroom, but with some disrepair in common areas including faulty garage gate and poorly maintained bin store.
Evidence considered
- Neither party submitted specific comparable evidence - both left the evidence sections of their reply forms blank
- Tribunal relied on its own expert/general knowledge of rental values in the area and limited submissions from the tenants
- Tenants suggested a market rent of £1,450 pcm without supporting evidence
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values rather than specific comparable evidence, as neither party submitted supporting comparables despite both returning reply forms. Starting from a modernised market rent of £1,550 pcm (reflecting central heating, double glazing, white goods and curtains provided), the tribunal deducted £25 for the tenants' repair/decoration obligations and £25 for disrepair in common areas (lack of locks on corridor doors, malfunctioning garage gate, poorly maintained bin area), arriving at £1,500 pcm — the same as the current rent, so the notice's proposed increase to £1,600 pcm was not adopted.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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