Rent increase...

blondie12_2

hi guys!

I'm new to the thread so please be gentle! Simple question I think!

Currently, myself and my dad live in a rented 3 bedroom house, been living here since March 2010.

As it is, we have been renewing the tenancy agreement whenever the LA has written to us to give us the 2 month notice bit and asking if we are looking to renew the tenancy agreement etc - the tenancy agreement has been for 6 months @ a time.

As it happens, end of last week they have sent their usual letter asking if we want to renew or hand in our 2 month notice... with the added bit of a 'proposed rent increase'.

Rent at the mo is £795 pcm... they are looking to increase it to £815 pcm based on the fact the rental market has moved on in the area.

any tips / ideas to try and negotiate the rent?

Unfortunately we can't contact the LL directly because he's in the army and as far as we know, he is serving abroad.

I did speak to the LA earlier and asked them about the rent, I asked if the rent increase was from themselves or the LL and they said the LL and then said they work on behalf of him.

Anyway, any help would be much appreciated as we are very happy here and as we have 2 dogs, it's rare to find a LL that will accept pets.

Thanks guys!!

dancingfairy

I'd say do your research of the local area - check rightmove, findaproperty, the local paper, gumtree etc to get an idea of whether this increase is justified.
In terms of percentage increase it certainly doesn't sound massive - it's about 1.5 percent I think.
Also weigh up the costs of having to move, etc.
You might also want to try and point out that you are good tenants, also paid on time, keep the house clean and tidy, and have a family and would like to remain in the property for a decent length of time - it's worth a shot but for 20 a month I'd be a bit careful as moving will cost a lot.
Best of Luck

df

chris_m

2.5% increase? TBH, is that really worth arguing about? It's below inflation anyway.

blondie12_2

thanks guys!

just wanted some advice really!
I mean to me, it doesn't seem that much, it's more my dad who isn't happy but then we have different spending habbits - I can justify spending £170 on my hair lol.

So guess it would be classed as a 'reasonable increase'?

Thanks again guys!

pawlala

blondie12 wrote: »

I can justify spending £170 on my hair lol.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!! :eek: I'll do it for 50 quid!! I'll even drive there myself!

blondie12_2

lol!!! hair extensions.... I'm a qualified hairdresser so I'm forever mucking about with my hair.... as far as extensions go, the method I have is the less damaging to the hair and wallet lol. It's only £170 when i need new hair, otheriwse its just £70 every 6-8 weeks lol.

cjmumto2

The landlord may be chanceing his arm too, as it costs him money too. To be honest most LL's would prefer to keep same tenant than find a new one so you could perhaps meet him half way? I have left my property at the same price for the last 2 years as my tenants are great and would rather keep them on then find new ones. Of course if general prices have risen loads that is different but the agents will tell me to up it £25 per month which wasnt worth the hassle imo

MX5huggy

My hair cut has gone up nearly 10% this year so your rent increase is fair enough.


By the way it's gone from £5.50 to £6.00.

MX5huggy

By the way does the LA charge you for these new tenancy agreements you don't need a new one. If you don't get a new you go on to a periodic tenancy.

hcb42

My last haircut/colour was £99..eek.

£20 seems fair.

chris_m

I last paid £6 for a haircut, although that also included a beard trim.

I've told him that if he starts charging a finders fee, I want a discount on the cut as there's getting less of it to do ;-)