ChD 5 May 1988. The plaintiff tenant (D) sought declarations that the lessors (W) were unreasonable in their refusal to consent to two proposed sublettings by the lessee. D held a lease due to expire in 1992. D occupied the basement and ground floor and applied to sublet the first floor to his son and the second floor to a friend. Neither of the subtenancies would have been protected as long as D continued to be the resident landlord . If, however, D did cease to be a resident before 1992, the subtenancies would become protected and the subtenants would be entitled to remain in possession after the lease had expired. W refused their consent on the ground the value of the reversion would be reduced by protected subtenancies. D sought declarations from the court. It was held that W had unreasonably withheld consent; the judge weighed up the circumstances and concluded that the points in favour of the lessee outweighed those in favour of the lessors. Declarations accordingly.