HT-2022-000311 & HT-2022-000254 - [2024] EWHC 3179 (TCC)

This is the flat of Gloria Chan. Ms Chan claimed lost rental income from her spare room from August 2021 to August 2022 at £850 per month (as total of £10,200) and a replacement blind at £1,143.95. Mr Daly excludes the latter claim for which he says there is no substantiation. Ms Chan had, however, exhibited an e-mail estimate from John Lewis dated 28 September 2021 and in that amount and that amount should form part her damages.

So far as the loss of rental is concerned, Ms Chan’s evidence was that, pre-Covid she had had a lodger at £850 per month. She planned to have a lodger again, had advertised the room and received inquiries. I accept her evidence and that the consequence of the water ingress was the loss of this income and I award this sum. I also award the sum sought of £1,000 for distress and inconvenience.

Ms Chan also said that Click St Andrews had requested for inspections not to carry out remedial works. They had placed a dehumidifier in the kitchen which had leaked onto the floor. She had never refused access. On the contrary, while she was away for 3 weeks, she had left a spare set of keys.