Flat 2, 61 Lansdowne Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 2BF
Condition: The flat lacked central heating (relying on electric wall heaters), showed mould/fungus and general disrepair, and was not modernised.
Evidence considered
- Landlord's letting agent opinion valuing the property at £1,200 pcm if re-let on the open market
- Tenant's photographs showing damp, mould, and electric (non-central) heaters, given significant weight
- Tribunal's own knowledge and experience of the Croydon rental market used to set the baseline 'good condition' rent
- External inspection only (internal access could not be obtained)
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the open market rent for the studio flat, had it been in good condition, at £1,100 pcm based on its own knowledge of the Croydon rental market and submissions from both parties. It then applied a 10% deduction to reflect limited/inadequate heating (electric wall heaters rather than central heating), evidence of mould and fungus, and general lack of maintenance, arriving at a final figure of £990 pcm. Physical inspection of the interior could not be completed, so the decision relied on written and photographic evidence and a subsequent round of submissions addressing the heating dispute.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
Want the evidence, not just the decision?
Around half of the decisions in this database cite a problem with the evidence submitted — comparable tribunal outcomes are usually what decides these cases, for both sides. We're testing a paid evidence pack and a guided walkthrough of the application, built from this database.
Landlord evidence pack — from £15
Nearby tribunal outcomes, a rent level likely to survive a challenge, and an evidence pack in the format the tribunal expects — timed for when you serve a section 13 notice.
Register interest in the landlord packTenant pack — from £19
Whether challenging your rent increase is worth it, plus the comparable decisions to include with your MR1 application to the tribunal.
Register interest in the tenant packNot built yet — register your interest by email and we'll let you know when it's ready. This isn't legal advice; see the law and free advice options.