Advice on basic tenants rights

musashi10

Hi there,

I'm hoping for some advice on the following please.

I've been renting from someone I know for the past 3 years on implied contract terms. I.E no written contract was ever written and the implied terms was the amount I have been paying each week.

Relations now are a bit strained and basically I'm faced with the situation that they want me to pay 50% extra starting from next week (1 weeks notice) or leave.

Just wondered if this was lawful or not?

I've already suggested that a month would be a more reasonable time to apply such an increase, but that was to no avail.

so just wondering what the legal standing is on this

Thanks

poppysarah

I'd start looking for somewhere else to live.

You should ring shelter and ask them for advice.
But generally dn't agree to that huge rise.

musashi10

Yeah thanks.

Will start looking.

DVardysShadow

Assuming that you are in self contained accommodation [flat, house], they should give you 2 months notice to end on a rent day. In your position, I would work to that period but not make too big a song and dance about my rights -I would just leave when I found somewhere else.

Colincbayley

Are you in your own property, sharing with others or renting a room?

tbs624

musashi10 wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm hoping for some advice on the following please.

I've been renting from someone I know for the past 3 years on implied contract terms.

When *exactly* in 2007 did this tenancy start ( and it is tenancy , even without a written agreement). If it started after 6 April 2007 and you paid a tenancy deposit has this LL scheme registered the deposit, as required to by law? (property in Eng/Wales, let under an AST - default tenancy if T has *exclusive* occupation & no written agreement)

If you *did* pay a deposit and there has been no registration then the LL cannot validly serve a s21 notice of intent to regain possession of the property, until/unless s/he does get it registered.

If you have been paying weekly the LL is committing an offence if s/he has failed to provide you with a Rent Book.

Is there a gas safety certificate covering this property - have annual checks been carried out on any gas appliances?

There are rules on rent increases and how they have to be notified to the T. Your tenancy is likely to be held to be a periodic tenancy, running from week to week. The LL would have to give you at least one month's notice of a proposed rent increase, using a specific form/wording.

If you don't agree with the proposed increase you can take the matter to a Rent Assessment Committee ( The T has to set this in motion *before* the rent increase would be due to come into effect.)

As th e others have said, your best bet is to look for somewhere else, but the s21 lack of validity (if applicable) will give you a little longer.

Local Council will have a TRO (tenancy relations officer, private sector housing) who can help with this.

Jowo_2

Do you share the property and the amenities there, such as kitchen and bathroom, with a live-in landlord?