Flat 3, Lavender Court, Molesham Way, West Molesey, Surrey, KT8 1NY
Condition: A 1960s first-floor flat with double glazing and electric storage heaters but no central heating, carpets, curtains or white goods, with an original unmodernised kitchen and a dated bathroom showing some disrepair.
Evidence considered
- Landlord submitted a schedule of 11 comparable properties with current rents ranging £945-£1,600 pcm, but with minimal detail; tribunal found this of little assistance.
- Tenant cited a comparable: a similar ground-floor flat in the same block (slightly better condition, modernised bathroom) let at £1,120 pcm.
- Tribunal relied substantially on its own expert knowledge of local rental values, having viewed the property online.
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined the valid rent notice to be the landlord's second notice (£1,200 pcm, replacing current rent of £1,100 pcm), as the tenant had not received the first notice and was out of time to challenge it. Starting from a market rent of £1,400 pcm (based on expert knowledge, limited landlord comparables, and tenant-cited neighbour rent), the tribunal deducted amounts for lack of central heating, carpets/curtains, white goods, and an unmodernised kitchen and bathroom (with disrepair), arriving at £1,180 pcm. The landlord's comparable schedule was given little weight due to lack of detail.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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