Rent increase?

Jowo_2

If the rent being charged by the Uni is in line with market rent for its location, size and standard, then you've no wriggle room to negotiate.

Also, if they tend to have a policy of increasing rent by x percent across their portfolio, like some social housing providers do (I know they are not a social housing landlord, just wonder if they have the same organisational approach), then they are unlikely to accept exceptions to it, particularly if they think they won't have any problems finding a replacement tenant.

If you can find other properties of a similar type much cheaper, then if the Uni refuses to negotiate, you simply move into one.

Bottom line - it's about market rent and not whether or not you can afford the increases, the latter usually being irrelevant from the point of view of a landlord.

Other concern - you are self-employed and have no confidence that you can increase your business year on year?

It's unusual for a landlord to have a policy of increasing rent by x percent each year (as the market should drive this) but perhaps they think they are under-charging by a substantial margin and are bringing it up to market rates on a gradual basis.

theartfullodger

Now write & propose a rent decrease of 3%... you've got 'em on the run....!!!

If one party can propose an increase it is obviously OK for the other to propose a decrease...

Cheers!

Lodger