Rent increase and fixed period

glider3560

Having noticed two flats in my block going up for rent in the last few weeks, I've been speaking to my neighbours.

Apparently the letting agents have been contacting everyone gradually and asking if they will accept a rent increase of £75 pcm (for the studios) and £100 pcm (for the one beds). The reason being that they haven't increased the rent for a number of years and management of the building is now considerably more expensive.

The whole block is owned by the same landlord and managed by the same letting agency. I understand they haven't contacted everyone yet.

I am currently in a fixed term contract, which ends mid-February. I plan to move out at the end of March (which is the end of a rent period, as my rent periods don't tie in with the contract as my first payment was for half a month).

Can the landlord increase the rent during the fixed term period? If they can't, how much notice would be required for them to increase the rent at the end of the fixed contract? Paying an extra £75 isn't something I really want to do!

BitterAndTwisted

No, they can't increase the rent during the fixed-term.

G_M

They may offer you a new fixed term at a higher rent but you will no doubt decline to sign. You then become a periodic tenant once the fixed term expires - at the original rent.

Once it is a periodic tenancy the LL can increase the rent by following the correct procedure:

"
What is the procedure in the Housing Act 1988 for proposing a rent increase where this is not covered in the tenancy agreement?

You must notify the tenant by sending them one of two special forms entitled; "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent under an Assured Periodic Tenancy of premises situated in England" or "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent under an Assured Periodic Tenancy of premises situated in Wales".
You must give at least a month's notice of the proposed increase if the rent is paid on a weekly or monthly basis.
If the tenant agrees with the proposed rent increase, he or she should simply pay it from the date given in the notice.
If the tenant does not agree with the proposed increase, he or she must apply to a rent assessment committee to decide what the rent should be. The tenant must do so before the date on which the new rent is due to begin."