Flat B, 131 Lord Lane, Failsworth, Manchester, M35 0RZ
Condition: Tenant reported mould and a long-unrepaired faulty toilet, with no landlord repairs or improvements made over the tenancy.
Evidence considered
- Neither party submitted comparable rental evidence or returned the Tribunal's reply forms.
- Tribunal relied on its own expert knowledge and general knowledge of rental values in the area to determine the market rent.
- Tenant's submissions about disrepair and hardship were considered but not supported by evidence.
Tenant submitted evidence: no. Landlord submitted evidence: no.
Tribunal's reasoning
In the absence of any comparable evidence from either party, the Tribunal relied on its own specialist knowledge of local rental values to determine a market rent of £600 pcm for the first-floor studio flat, between the existing rent of £525 and the landlord's proposed £700. The Tribunal considered the tenant's claims of disrepair and financial hardship but found insufficient evidence to justify either a lower rent or a delayed start date, 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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