Rent rise!

funschine · 23 September 2007 at 3:25PM

Help, its time to renew our contract with our letting agency and they are increasing our rent from £425 to £500 a month! Are they allowed to rise it by such a big amount? Everything in the flat is anceint and of desperate need of renovation. I know renting is impossible in Aberdeen at the moment. But the flat really isn't worth paying £500 for. There isnt even a ceiling light in the sitting room, the cooker is rusty and has been fixed at least 6 times in the last 2 years, the couch needs a throw over it because it is so worn, the walls all need a new coat of paint, the bathtub needs replacing. Can we demand that the agency sends someone over to value the flat properly based on its condition. I had expected a rise in rent but I think £75 is a bit steep.

msmicawber · 23 September 2007 at 3:30PM

They can ask for whatever rent they like, I'm afraid. Your best option is to vote with your feet.

funschine · 23 September 2007 at 3:33PM

Thanks
Thats what I was afraid off! I am searching for a new flat right now but have not had any luck. Am not very likely to find something soon as Aberdeen is in a housing crises. The Universiy are putting up 90 students in TV rooms in student accomodation because there is nowhere to put them

msmicawber · 23 September 2007 at 3:39PM

I suspect that's why the landlord has done it, funschine - making the most of the local accommodation crisis.

I've had this happen to me before now and it's a drag. Could you look for shared accommodation instead - house or flat share?

Good luck.

CB1979_2 · 23 September 2007 at 3:45PM

demand & supply I'm afraid.

by what you've said even though YOU think the flat is a rip off at £500, there seems to be a shortage so there will be someone who'll move in.

but saying that I'd negotiate, you could try well £25 rise if they do nothing to update the place or £75 rise if they update it.

what do other places of similar quality rent for?

mumoftwins · 23 September 2007 at 6:40PM

You can get a rent assessment carried out independently - try phoning your local council and asking for the phone number of the independent rent assessors - they will come out for free and let you know what the 'going rate' for your property should be. Your Landlord needn;t know that you are taking these steps.

poppy10_2 · 23 September 2007 at 7:14PM

funschine wrote: »

But the flat really isn't worth paying £500 for.

Then move, and find one that is.

that's your only option.

funschine · 23 September 2007 at 9:08PM

Thanks mumoftwins. Thats really good info. I didn't know you could do that. I will phone the council first thing!
Big Thank you
funschine

barnaby-bear · 24 September 2007 at 10:15AM

mumoftwins wrote: »

You can get a rent assessment carried out independently - try phoning your local council and asking for the phone number of the independent rent assessors - they will come out for free and let you know what the 'going rate' for your property should be. Your Landlord needn;t know that you are taking these steps.

How would this help, IMO really only of any use to someone on an assured pre-1997 tenancy? They can't force the LL to take a certain rent and they tend to make such assessments for the purposes of claiming HB.

coal9011 · 24 September 2007 at 10:29AM

barnaby-bear wrote: »

How would this help, IMO really only of any use to someone on an assured pre-1997 tenancy? They can't force the LL to take a certain rent and they tend to make such assessments for the purposes of claiming HB.

Any Tenant (if they think that their proposed rent increase is to high) can apply (free) to their regional Rent Assessment Committee to assess the rent for that property.

This process can take up to 4.5 months and any increase (or reduction) in rent is back-dated to the start of the assessment process. Once a new rent is set it is legally binding and can not be revisited again by the committee until after 12 months from the date of their last decision.

A lot of tenants do not know about this service!

boyse7en · 24 September 2007 at 11:05AM

What committee?

Is this just for rents set by the council, or are you saying that private landlords can be forced into renting out their property for whatever the rent assessor deems reasonable?

Rent rise!

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