Unfair rent increase proposed, advise needed!

neas

What im suggesting is that more often than not people live in rented accomodation and the landlord doesnt increase the rent inline with the market... then when they get into financial difficulty or sit down they realise their rental is some 10-20% cheaper than everywhere similar.

Afterall its a business not a charity.

the.ciscokid

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

You have two choices.

1. Pay up.

2. Move out.

Really unhelpful advice here.

Try negotiating, stating that you are a good tenant? The negotiation should go along the lines of saying that you are prepared to move out, and that would mean incurring marketing costs, and possible voids for the landlord.

Of course, in order to go down this route, you do need to be prepared to actually move out... though you may get the increase reduced/ cancelled out entirely if you negotiate properly. If they want to make it difficult, then you will have to do the same thing - make sure the property is untidy for prospective new tenants for a start!

Tenants are buying a service from landlords, you would do well to remember you are the customer, and should be treated accordingly - a good long term tenant is worth their weight in gold quite frankly. You shouldn't feel like the landlords are allowing you to stay in their property, and consequently you are at their behest, quite the opposite. In fact if you feel like this, you would do well to move out and find someone that is more grateful for your money frankly.

The only cost that will be increasing for the landlord is the management cost to the letting agent, his mortgage should be decreasing given the record low interest rates, so I think you are in a good position.

Pete111

the.ciscokid wrote: »

Really unhelpful advice here.

Try negotiating, stating that you are a good tenant? The negotiation should go along the lines of saying that you are prepared to move out, and that would mean incurring marketing costs, and possible voids for the landlord.

Of course, in order to go down this route, you do need to be prepared to actually move out... though you may get the increase reduced/ cancelled out entirely if you negotiate properly. If they want to make it difficult, then you will have to do the same thing - make sure the property is untidy for prospective new tenants for a start!

Tenants are buying a service from landlords, you would do well to remember you are the customer, and should be treated accordingly - a good long term tenant is worth their weight in gold quite frankly. You shouldn't feel like the landlords are allowing you to stay in their property, and consequently you are at their behest, quite the opposite. In fact if you feel like this, you would do well to move out and find someone that is more grateful for your money frankly.

The only cost that will be increasing for the landlord is the management cost to the letting agent, his mortgage should be decreasing given the record low interest rates, so I think you are in a good position.

Umm...The OP has already said they think the landlord is looking to force them out to do up the property for a higher rental return or even a sale. The OP has also tried negotiating with no success whatsoever.

As such, the advice from Hamish advice is absolutely correct. It's a binary choice here - simples.

tbs624

tbs624 wrote: »

Are you still with a Fixed Term or has your tenancy continued as a month by month Statutory Periodic, after the initial FT expired?

Have you previously been served with a S21 Notice of Intent to Repossess at any point?

nomesy_nome wrote: »

I am slightly unsure as to what all the jargon means but I dont think we are fixed term and no we have never been issued with a notice of intent to reposses.

I have been looking online at the rent assessment commitee, does anyone know anything of how they work?

Thanks

Fixed Term tenancy means one under a tenancy agreement which gives a specific date on which the agreement would be due to expire.

Once it expires, a T may be asked to sign up for a further fixed 6 month/12 months etc. Alternatively, if the LL does not give notice and the T remains at the property then the tenancy becomes what is called a Stat Periodic agreement and continues under the same terms as the original contract,but simply running from month to month (if rent paid monthly) until the LL gives the T two months' notice or the T gives the LL one month's notice. Ts need to be aware that they may have already had their 2 months notice via a s21 Notice and the LL can proceed straight to court for repossession of the property.

Which situation your tenancy falls under will affect how rent increases, and your possible referral to the RAC, should be dealt with.

Rent Assessment Committees can be contacted via your local Council. There are different application routes (s 6/s13) depending on which form your current tenancy takes, but any application must be received by the RAC before the proposed rent increase would be due to be implemented. Be aware that RACs can put rents *up* too

See this link for more info and/or talk to Shelter 0808 800 444 and read their page on RACs

Unfortunately, the LL still has the option to bring your tenancy to an end, at the earliest possible legal opportunity, if you challenge their rent increase proposals.

theartfullodger

My son & his 2 housemates were recently in a similar situation: Agent said price up by 5%.. They, after discussion with moi, talked/email agent saying they were good tenants, always paid on time, no complaints, house OK at inspections, they liked the area and didn't want to disrupt their lives by moving, would Landlord consider aan alternative. Agents said LL would "consider". So they proposed anothe 12 month fixed-term (the initial period of the tenancy) deal at the same rent. Agent said yes within 1 hour.

However, others may have different experiences...

Cheers!

PS The swine refused to pay me my 10% of savings fee...