Help with excessive rent increase

fibromrs

Lazzza wrote: »

Why don't you ask if they'll spread the increase over a few years, i.e. agree to a 4% per annum increase for a few years.

"25% or nothing" seems like an odd way to negotiate for both parties.

I have been told by LA that she is not prepared to negotiate it's a 200 a month rise. To be honest she wont get that as a neighbour has a 4 bed property in far better condition than this one and is only paying £75 more than us.

Liz

BitterAndTwisted

Well, use that as ammunition!

The agents say that the landlady is adamant but unless there are more fools around than I thought, she won't get a tenant paying a grand a month. The agent probably knows this as well. Just call their bluff.

superted187

Unfortunately, the rent increase is excessive, but the newly proposed rental price isn't. The going rate in Berkshire has just increased massively recently.

I rent near to the OP (in Reading), and we were going to move to a bigger place until it became apparent that rents had exploded in cost over the last year or so in Berkshire. If you have a browse through rightmove with property bee installed, you will see plenty of properties where the Letting Agents have cheekily whacked on an extra £100-£200 a month.

There isn't a lot you can do. There is no point pleading with the LA - these people are only motivated by money, and how they can get it by doing the least amount of work.

I would suggest negotiating down what you think is a reasonable amount to pay for the property, bearing in mind that rents have gone up. What would the LA realisticly get for the property if it was advertised on rightmove tomorrow?

I'd suggest saying something along the lines of "As long term, reliable tenants that have always paid ontime, we would not go any higher than xxx PCM for this property. This is in light of the state of disrepair that the property is in (use examples, as many as possible) and previous slow repair times when we have reported problems to you (again, use examples)."

Be firm - it might work. If it doesn't, move. I know this is a massive massive hassle, but it might be better off than giving these idiots your hard earned cash. If the property is in such a state as you describe, she will have to spend money on getting it up to standard, and will have to take a period of time when the property is empty.

Pupnik

If I were you I'd move and hope this nasty piece of work landlady is left with several months with no tenant as who in their right mind would rent a property like that for £1k, she will eventually have to lower her price when there are no takers. That is even if she is allowed to rent it as it sounds like a massive health and safety issue to me. I know moving is not ideal right now but in the long run it may be less stressful than dealing with such a terrible landlord.

DVardysShadow

A suggestion to think on.

If the LA expects to get £1000/month, they will need to advertise it for £1075. Suggest that they put it up for that amount and you will facilitate viewings. Be true to your word.

My bet is that they will not get takers - and even if they say they have and you ask for a Section 21 notice, it will soon be withdrawn.

Procrastinator333

fibromrs wrote: »

I have been told by LA that she is not prepared to negotiate it's a 200 a month rise.

Liz

I don't wish to be rude, but if that is the case, there isn't a lot of point in this thread. If she won't negotiate you have 2 choices.

1) Pay the £1,000.
2) Tell them you refuse an increase and it is up to the landlord if they want to serve notice or not.

If it were me, I would opt for a slight variation on option 2 and drag my feet on it, never say yes, never say no. Try and crosss another rent day without committing to anything and all the time be out looking at places you can move to. Just keep delaying, don't answer the phone for a day or 2, say you will think about it, say you need to check your finances, say you need to talk to your mother / daughter etc to see if hey will help you out. Then ask to review a copy of the contract. Spin any crap you like to them. Just don't sign or agree to anything. Keep them thinking you will probably do it. That should buy you a month or 2 before they serve notice. Then the 2 months notice (if they actually do that). Plenty of time to find somewhere better for less.

moneysavingmonkey85

It sounds like you are having a tough time. Berkshire is expensive (I'm renting in Reading), but it sounds that you are much better out of that house. The stress of waiting for repairs alone can't be good for someone in ill health. I have been mistreated by landlords and LAs who wouldn't do repairs (elsewhere in the country), and you just have to get out in the end. Might you downsize for two of you if the average rent really has gone up that much?
I hope you have some luck soon

diable

Tell her you will pay the extra once all the faults have been rectified and the kitchen repaired as it shouldn't cost her anything as she can claim the wear and tear from a furnished property against her tax bill.

System

You have been in that house since 2004. Have there been any rent increases since you moved in?

If not then the rent rise is only equivalent to about 3.5% per year which is reasonable

fibromrs

!!!!!! wrote: »

You have been in that house since 2004. Have there been any rent increases since you moved in?

If not then the rent rise is only equivalent to about 3.5% per year which is reasonable

Yes when we moved in 2004 we paid £725 the following year it went up to £750 and 3 years later £800. She was advised by previous L.A's that she would have to do extensive repairs to get more than £775 but we paid what she was asking for because I had just had major back surgery. The previous L.A's where taken over by this one July last year and I have been told on the QT that she has been advised that they will not re-let the property in it's present condition. I believe she has either decided to let it out by the room to students or pass it over to one of her children.

Liz