Tenancy Renewal

J3OEF

Hi,

I got my tenancy renewal today and its exactly the same as it was when we first moved in, no changes or anything. A scandolous charge of £58 for paper work to be drawn up etc.

How would i go about trying to negociate a reduction in rent or trying to get it abit cheaper? Just says in the agreement either continue or give notice to move out.

How succuessful can negociating be? or could it be bad

Notlob

Personally, I find asking can sometimes work!

Notlob

J3OEF

well someone suggested it, ive never thought about asking that before. How would you go about asking them?

Notlob

Think about the question and post it here. You might find you already know the answer!

Notlob

TrickyDicky

Tell them you are not seeking a renewal, you wish to stay on under the terms of your old AST (as is the law if no renewal is signed). If you dont sign a new contract you are bound by the terms of the old one indefinatly, but you can give 1 months notice, and the landlord 2, that you will be moving out. No Admin fee is payable.

I just made this point in a letter to my LA, along with another point about rent increase, and when I rang her she made no comment about us not paying the admin fee.

polyalloy

I have exactly the same problem with OP. There are only two options: sign another 6/12 month with no rental increase or leave. But there is renewal fee from LA. And LL confirmed that. LL said he will also pay LA fees for renewal contract. LL think "it gives formal and legal protection to both the tenant and landlord." Is this arguable?

poppysarah

Going periodic gives legal and formal protections. Just slightly different ones.
If you don't want to be fixed to them for 6 months - or they've been slow/bad with repairs then tell them to go whistle.

Incisor

polyalloy wrote: »

I have exactly the same problem with OP. There are only two options: sign another 6/12 month with no rental increase or leave. But there is renewal fee from LA. And LL confirmed that. LL said he will also pay LA fees for renewal contract. LL think "it gives formal and legal protection to both the tenant and landlord." Is this arguable?

Largely rubbish. An AST ensures that both Landlord and Tenant get a long enough initial term to make it worthwhile to have the contract in the first place - LL assured of 6 months rent, T assured of 6 months roof over head. Going periodic means that both sides have had the benefit of the fixed term and now get the flexibility of being able to end the arrangement with reasonable notice. The only reason agents insist on renewal is to get another fee.

Notlob

Incisor wrote: »

Largely rubbish. An AST ensures that both Landlord and Tenant get a long enough initial term to make it worthwhile to have the contract in the first place - LL assured of 6 months rent, T assured of 6 months roof over head. Going periodic means that both sides have had the benefit of the fixed term and now get the flexibility of being able to end the arrangement with reasonable notice. The only reason agents insist on renewal is to get another fee.

That's a sweeping statement. Yes agents earn about £50 or so per extension but there are also clear benefits for the landlord to extend. Anyway, tenants might well value a further commitment.

Notlob

Incisor

Notlob wrote: »

That's a sweeping statement. Yes agents earn about £50 or so per extension but there are also clear benefits for the landlord to extend. Anyway, tenants might well value a further commitment.

When this issue arises here, it is very rare for the tenant to be offered the option to let the tenancy go periodic. The demand to sign up an new AST is not being made for the tenants benefit.

Notlob

But it is not the only reasons why agents want to extend. It is also in the landlord's best interest.