Flat 4, Harold House, 8 Brook Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3AY
Condition: Tenant reported wear and tear and disrepair (including boiler issues) not addressed by the landlord during the tenancy; the determined rent assumed the property was in good, modernised condition.
Evidence considered
- Tenant-provided Rightmove listings showing asking rents of £850–£925 pcm for similar flats in the area.
- Tribunal's own general knowledge and expertise of local rental values.
- No comparable evidence submitted by the landlord.
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge of local rental values together with comparable listings submitted by the tenant (Rightmove asking rents of £850–£925 pcm for similar flats). It determined that a modernised flat in good condition, with white goods and curtains provided, would command £975 pcm in the open market, which matched the landlord's proposed rent. No evidence was submitted by the landlord, and the tenant's points about disrepair and lack of a shower did not alter the figure proposed in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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