Flat 508, Berry Court, St Peters Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2LG
Condition: Modern fifth-floor flat (built 2018) with en-suite, balcony, central heating and integrated appliances, no significant disrepair found.
Evidence considered
- Landlord submitted a Rightmove search of 54 comparable properties
- Tenant cited asking rents for other flats in the same block (e.g. Flat 205, 202, 302, 703, 506) ranging from £1050 to £1300 pcm, though it was unclear whether these asking rents were actually achieved
- Tribunal gave most weight to Flat 703, a similarly specified 'Type 15' flat asking £1300 pcm (though two floors higher and four months before the valuation date)
- Tenant's concerns about noise, security, privacy and external issues were considered common to the area or shared with comparables, warranting no further deduction
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined the market rent by reference to comparable lettings and asking rents in the locality, giving most weight to a similarly specified flat in the same block advertised at £1300 pcm shortly before the valuation date. It found the tenant's concerns about condition, security and noise were either common to the area or also present in comparable properties, so no adjustment was warranted. Weighing the evidence against its own expert knowledge, the tribunal determined the full amount proposed by the landlord, £1285 pcm.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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