Flat 5, 182 Rendle Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 1TP
Condition: First-floor flat with double glazing (draughty), original carpet, electric heating, and tenant-made minor improvements (new taps, redecoration).
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided photos of the property and claimed comparable rents in the area of around £650 pcm but did not submit formal comparable evidence.
- Landlord submitted no evidence or response.
- Tribunal relied on its own knowledge and expertise of local rental values, starting from a modernised market rent of £650 pcm and deducting £25 for electric heating (rather than central heating).
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined on the papers, with no inspection or hearing, as the landlord failed to respond at all. Using its own expertise and the tenant's photographs, it assessed a modernised market rent of £650 pcm for a comparable property with white goods and curtains, then deducted £25 pcm to reflect the property's electric (rather than central) heating, arriving at £625 pcm. The tenant's claim of undue hardship was rejected due to lack of a financial breakdown.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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