Flat 16, Newport House, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6SH
Condition: Flat had disrepair issues including a draughty ill-fitting window, non-functioning radiators, a leaking kitchen tap, defective wiring to the hot water cylinder, and worn furniture.
Evidence considered
- Two Rightmove adverts (January 2026) for similar one-bedroom flats in the same building, each asking £550 pcm - given significant weight
- An undated advert for a one-bedroom flat on the same estate at £500 pcm - considered
- Tribunal's own expert knowledge of local rental values used to set a baseline before condition adjustments
- £50 pcm deduction applied for documented disrepair, uncontested by the landlord
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal found the market rent for the flat in good condition (with comparable furniture/white goods) to be £550 pcm, based on Rightmove comparables for similar flats in the same building and estate. It then deducted £50 pcm to reflect disrepair issues (faulty windows, non-functioning radiators, leaking tap, defective wiring, poor furniture condition) raised uncontested by the tenant, arriving at a determined rent of £500 pcm. The landlord did not engage with the process or provide any evidence or comment on condition.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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