Kingswood tenant loses challenge over 20% rental increase for ‘mouldy’ flat

A tenant has lost their fight to stop a 20% rise in monthly rent for their two-bedroom flat after a tribunal ruled that the new monthly charge was fair.

It means the rent for the flat above a shop unit at 247 Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood is now £820 a month, instead of the £675 previously paid.

The tenant’s appeal against the increase went to a First-Tier Tribunal Property Chamber, which has now published its report from the hearing.

It heard how the tenant was unhappy over the increase in rent for the unfurnished flat, which has a hallway, living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a shower room.

The tenant’s case rested on incomplete repairs to the shower room, a leaking roof, appearance of mould, loose wiring at the front of property and a lack of washing machine provided.

But the landlord said a new boiler had been installed over the past two years. He also said the kitchen and shower room had been revamped in 2018 and that the mould was due to a lack of ventilation.

The tribunal found that the landlord ‘might reasonably be expected’ to obtain £820 monthly rent if the property in its condition was listed on the open market.

The judgement comes at a time dozens of tenants in Bristol and South Gloucestershire were evicited from their homes as the cost-of-living crisis hit people’s wallets and energy prices rocketed.

Ministry of Justice figures show 55 rental households in the two authority areas were evicted through landlord repossessions in the three months to June. Meanwhile, there were 184 claims lodged by private and social landlords for repossession in the same period.

In Bristol, the city council is rolling out a new property licensing scheme with the aim of improving housing standards. Ideas to control rent prices, including a cap in rents, are also being considered.

But charities have warned that many tenants are facing uncertain financial situations as living costs soar, with action group Generation Rent saying “people face a devastating choice between paying rent, heating their home and putting food on the table”.

Alicia Kennedy, director of Generation Rent, said the rise is a result of protections brought in during the coronavirus pandemic coming to an end and added that renters who have not received enough support are now losing their homes.

“Alongside a further package of financial support, the Government must freeze rents and protect renters from eviction if they’re struggling to stay on top of rent,” Ms Kennedy added.