Flat 3, Longworth House, 28 Eversfield Road Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2DS
Condition: Ground floor flat in a modern purpose-built block, with worn carpets and ongoing mould issues in the bedroom following a historic (now fixed) leak.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided five comparable properties advertised between £750 and £875 pcm, plus photographs of present and pre-tenancy condition.
- Landlord provided a price guide of asking rents (no evidence of rents achieved) and a reference to a similar top-floor flat on the same road, let agreed, at £875 pcm with no parking.
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values alongside the comparables submitted by both parties.
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal assessed the market rent for the property if in good order (with white goods, flooring and curtains, and no parking space) at £875 pcm, drawing on its own expertise and the comparables from both parties. It then deducted £50 pcm to reflect the mould issues and general condition of the property, arriving at a market rent of £850 pcm. Historic issues (such as past leaks) were not compensated for, only their ongoing effect on condition at the valuation date.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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