Flat 64, The Foundry, 2A Lower Chatham Street, Manchester M1 5TF
Condition: Furnished sixth-floor flat with two bathrooms and a balcony, described as high specification with fairly basic but good-condition furniture and no ongoing maintenance issues.
Evidence considered
- Tenant cited comparables in the same building and nearby developments advertised at approximately £1,400-£1,500 pcm
- Landlord cited comparables in central Manchester supporting a higher rent, emphasising the flat's size, top-floor position and furnishings
- Tribunal found the £1,400 pcm comparable appeared smaller with unclear bathroom count, and the £1,500 pcm comparable's building was unclear
- Tribunal relied on its own knowledge of the local rental market alongside the comparables
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal determined the market rent by considering the size, location, condition and comparable evidence from both parties, giving most weight to comparables within the same building or nearby developments of similar age and specification. It found the tenant's lower comparables imperfect (one appeared smaller with unclear bathroom provision, another's building location was uncertain) but nonetheless settled on a figure within the range the tenant identified, below the landlord's proposed rent. As the determined rent was lower than the previous rent, no consideration of tenant hardship was required.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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