Rent increase too high - help with dealing with it.

Babbler

Well, after the last couple of threads I started the results are in - despite being assured by the landlord that when going managed last month rent would not be going up - and by the managing agent - a nice letter arrived last week stating an 8% increase in rent to "be in line with other houses in the area".

We have been here over 2 years now and although we havent had a rent increase in that time it seems a little steap and unfair. Agent will go back to landlord and say we dispute it but if landlord wont budge we are not in a great position.

What do people think? Also - do I need to dispute in writing? LL is away at the moment too which doesnt help!

We understand an increase but 8% (£55) a month?? :(

Babbler

Also - other houses seem to only be 3% higher...

ruggedtoast

You can refuse to pay it, you may get a section 21 though the mail shortly after though.

clutton_2

how much is your rent now - sorry no good at %s

DVardysShadow

clutton wrote: »

how much is your rent now - sorry no good at %s

£687.50 or thereabouts, depending on how much OP has rounded.

prudryden

It sounds as if the LL is catching up with not raising the rent last year. 4%/year seems to be in line with rental increases.

FOXY1

Quote me if I am wrong but I am sure every council has a department who you can go to if you believe your rent is too high, who will assess the going rate? If it is in line with other houses it does seem fair if you havent had one in the last 2 years. Do you know you landlords position? For example if you moved they would have the cost of getting a new tenant and missing rent payments whilst it is empty, on the other hand if you moved would you be able to get a similar property for the same price?

Babbler

675 Current rent. Amd didnt think they could just "catch up". They have the moption to raise the rent yearly. If they dont thats their fault not ours! £55 is a lot considering no pay rises and the way things are at the moment!

Also 695 is the average round here.

poppysarah

Say that you can't afford the rise.

If you've been good tenants then it's a risk they'll have to take that they can replace you *after evicting you* with nice tenants.

laurel7172

Well, he can charge what he likes, really.

The question is whether or not somebody will pay it.

So, really, you think it's £35pm over the odds?

I guess you need to weigh that up against how much it would cost to move etc. Or negotiate on the basis that having agencies find new tenants and void periods are expensive for the landlord too.

Babbler

Thanks - will see what they come back with after their holiday - hopefully can negotiate it to less...