Flat 7, The Chartwell, 21 Goods Station Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2DE
Condition: Second floor flat with outstanding repair issues including damp/mould, faulty extractor fan, broken dishwasher, kitchen sink leak, broken curtain rail and worn carpets.
Evidence considered
- Tenant provided application form with floorplan, photographs and messages from landlord's agent confirming refusal to authorise repairs
- Tenant provided a Rightmove advertisement for a similar flat at £1,550 pcm
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge, comparables provided by the landlord's agent, and details of three identical flats in the same development advertised at £1,400 and £1,450 pcm
- Landlord did not make submissions but had earlier provided comparables via its agent
Tenant submitted evidence: yes. Landlord submitted evidence: yes.
Tribunal's reasoning
The tribunal found a modernised market rent of £1,400 pcm based on comparable flats in the same development and its own expert knowledge, then deducted £70 to reflect the property's poor condition (old carpets, damp, faulty extractor, broken dishwasher and curtain rail), reaching £1,330 pcm. It rejected the tenant's argument that the landlord's notice was invalid and found no undue hardship, so the new rent took effect from the date in the notice.
Read the original decision (PDF, GOV.UK)
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