Rent Increase - Can I Disagree?

Malicia_Crass

I have just received a letter stating that as my 12 month tenancy agreement ends on 01.07.2010, they have reviewed my rent and will be increasing it from £450 pcm to £473 pcm as of 01.08.2010.

The property is a small one-bedroom, one of two flats above a "local" version of a well-known supermarket.

This morning I have also received a notification from my council that the store is seeking planning permision for 3 illuminated signs (1 fascia and 2 projecting). These illuminating signs will basically be directly under my bedroom windows, and will be illuminated between 6am - 11pm.

My neighbours have just moved out. The property access is via an alleyway by the side of the property, and the agents have repeatedly refused to fix the lighting on the stairway, as they deny it exists.

Basically I don't think this flat is worthy of an increase considering this!

Similar properties on the road with street-entrance and no illuminating signs rent for about £500 per month though.

How can I argue this?

clutton_2

move out - or try to negotiate

mr_fishbulb

Of course you can argue against it, doesn't mean the LL has to change what they are asking for.

But do you really want to live somewhere with a lighted sign under your window? I would move out because of that, whatever the rent was.

Malicia_Crass

I would move out - but I am a student nurse. There is no way I can raise the money needed for a months rent, deposit, referencing fees etc by 1st of July. I hope to move in a year (I qualify in March) but until then I'm kind of stuck.

Basically, the property is cheap even with the rent increase.

But, I sort of begrudge being asked to pay more on a property which is about to become less rentable!

Do you think a landlord (which is the well-known supermarket) would do a deal to either;

A) Fix the lighting on the stairway and in the alleyway, and I will pay the increase.

Keep the rent the same, and I won't fight the planning application for the signs.

mr_fishbulb

Malicia_Crass wrote: »

Do you think a landlord (which is the well-known supermarket) would do a deal to either;

A) Fix the lighting on the stairway and in the alleyway, and I will pay the increase.

Keep the rent the same, and I won't fight the planning application for the signs.

I'm not trying to be awkward , but it doesn't really matter what people on here think. You do have some legitimate reasons as to why the rent should not be increased, so start speaking with the LL. Plus they should fix the lighting anyway.

If someone replies saying "No the landlord would not make either of those deals", does that mean you won't approach them and ask?

Malicia_Crass

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

If someone replies saying "No the landlord would not make either of those deals", does that mean you won't approach them and ask?

That's a good point.

I think I feel a bit like I'm taking the mick, but I really don't see how the property has increased in it's rental value.

Do you know if there is anyway of finding out the average % increase in rental prices in my area?

Alias_Omega

I guess you need to be looking for another property, and if you can find one in the same area for the same cost, then you can go back to the landlord with this price for the property, and see what they say.

The rental increase might be because they reduced the rent in the first place to get a tenant into the property, we did this with our house, and plan to increase it by £20 a month at the end of the 12month period.

Though, if they dont budge, will it cost you more than £23 x 12 (£256) to move property..

Wee_Willy_Harris

Malicia_Crass wrote: »

That's a good point.

I think I feel a bit like I'm taking the mick, but I really don't see how the property has increased in it's rental value.

Do you know if there is anyway of finding out the average % increase in rental prices in my area?

LHA rates are based on average rentals for different property types. Your LA website will have a list of LHA rates going back monthly for well over a year. If that isn't available, just ask them what the 2 bed LHA rate is now, and what it was a year ago. That would be a good starting point.

Fire_Fox

Lodge an objection to the planning application, at the very least inform your landlord of the application and allow him to lodge an objection. If the poor lighting makes the stairwell hazardous at night, inform Environmental Health and they will enforce the landlord's repairing obligations. Note that I said landlords, the letting agency has NO obligation to keep the property in a good state of repair.

clutton_2

contact yoru local council Private REnted SEctor team and ask them for the local Rent REview team - they will look at the rent and say whether it is fair or not.. if they say no. . your LL cannot increase it to that amount

hugheskevi

This is a straightforward negociation situation - your landlord has asked for £473pcm. You can either accept that, or reject it.

Trying to justify the rent increase by things that do or don't work is rather beside the point and I wouldn't be unduly bothered by that (perhaps worth listing to support your argument, but it isn't really here nor there ultimately)

Best thing is to consider this from the landlord's position in the event you say that you will sign a new tenancy, but only at £450 pcm. He could reject that, and face the additional cost of finding a new tenant and a possible void period.

If you are a reliable tenant, pay on time, etc, then risking the additional costs for £276 extra (£23 x 12) is not attractive. I don't see him rejecting the offer unless he thinks you will bend. One of those situations where the outcome is anything between £450pcm and £473pcm, and the actual outcome is determined by who negociates best (which is normally mostly about who is the least flexible - "A reasonable man gets nowhere in negotiations" Willie Walsh, BA)

I am not sure why you feel like you are taking the mick objecting to a £23 pcm rent increase. By that measure. the landlord is taking an equal amount of mick asking for a rent increase of £23.