Flat 36 52 Bedford Road Lambeth London SW4 7HJ
Condition: Fair to good condition overall, with some minor defects including damp from leaks, defective fire alarms, noise, and lack of window restrictors.
Evidence considered
- Tenant submitted a completed Form 6 and internal photographs showing minor defects (damp, faulty fire alarms, noise, lack of restrictors)
- Landlord submitted no evidence or representations
- Tribunal relied on its own general knowledge of market rent levels in LB Lambeth rather than specific comparables
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal did not inspect the property but used its own expertise of Lambeth market rents to find the flat would let at £400 per week if in good order with landlord's white goods and floor coverings. It then deducted £40 per week for minor defects noted in tenant photographs (damp, faulty fire alarms, noise) and the absence of a conventional gas heating system, giving a determined rent of £360 per week. Figures were converted from weekly to monthly (x52/12) for the current, proposed and decided rents: £253.87 pw to £1100.11 pcm, £266.05 pw to £1152.88 pcm, and £360 pw to £1560 pcm.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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