Flat 6, Collins Building, 2 Wilkinson Close, Cricklewood, London, NW2 6GQ
Condition: General good condition but with wear and tear, including deteriorating wooden flooring and worn walls, no refurbishment in six years.
Evidence considered
- Landlord provided letting details of two flats in the same block at £2400 pcm and another let at £2400-£2480 pcm, arguing subject property (second floor, two bathrooms) warranted an uplift
- Tenant provided marketing details for a comparable in the same building at £2000-£2400 pcm and another nearby property at £2000 pcm
- Tribunal also relied on its own general knowledge of local rental values
- Gym membership claimed by landlord (valued at £40 pcm) was excluded as unproven to be part of the tenancy
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal started from a market rent of £2450 pcm based on its own knowledge and the comparables from both parties (flats in the same block at £2400-£2480 pcm and the tenant's lower comparables at £2000 pcm), finding the subject flat's second-floor position and two bathrooms offset by general wear and tear. It then applied a 5% deduction to reflect the property's wear and tear/disrepair (worn flooring, scuffed walls), arriving at £2327.50 pcm. Gym membership was excluded from the rental offer as the landlord provided no evidence it was contractually included, and the tenants' undue hardship claim was rejected for lack of detail, so the new rent took effect from the date in the landlord's notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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