Rent increase too high - help with dealing with it.

Owain_Moneysaver

Unless your existing tenancy agreement contains provision to increase the rent (and that provision is enforceable - a blanket 'landlord may increase the rent by giving two months notice' is unlikely to be) then the landlord cannot increase the rent within the terms of the current tenancy.

You would have to agree a new tenancy, which you can refuse to do. If you are outside the fixed term of your current tenancy and are month to month (periodic), then the landlord would have to give you notice to quit, and after the expiry of that (usually 2 months minimum) notice go to court for an order. Unless he is seeking eviction on specified statutory grounds the court can refuse to grant the order.

The best defence is probably to go to the landlord with printouts from local agents websites showing similar properties that rent for the same or less than yours.

Babbler

Thanks

Unfortunately our exisiting tennancy was for a year - 2.5 years after we signed this has happened.

We have yet to hear from agent or ll about our contesting of the rise. I will put it in writing this weekend to them as I dont want them to turn around and say I didnt contest it closer to the time and have a reason for kicking us out!

theartfullodger

Write a nice, calm & polite letter to Landlord proposing rent decrease & explaining why you are excellent Tenant - rent always paid on time, property immaculate, no complaints (from you or neighbours) or problems.

Cheers

Babbler

Will do. Unfortunately I have to do so to the new agency.Should I put we were assured that rent would not increase when going managed or is that cheeky?

theartfullodger

I'd put that in. You don't HAVE to communicate with agent - your contract is with Landlord not agent.

Babbler

UPDATE: Really upset. Sent a reasonable letter to suggest a 3% increase was more reasonable and losing use as tennants would be costly to both parties. The ll / agent rejected the offer and stated the increase stands. The other house the ll owns is now up for rent so figured they wouldnt want 2 houses on the market without rent. Seems that 2.5 years of good tennancy is worthless these days. Not happy and will be forced to find alternatives now as we just feel LL doesnt seem to care at all.

BitterAndTwisted

There are ways and means to ensure that your landlord won't have new tenants to move in immediately you leave. Think about being as uncooperative as possible and perhaps intimate to the LL that you would consider doing it. One month of the property being empty would negate about a year's-worth of the rent-increase. Did you offer the LL/agent any persuasive evidence that the rent-increase is not in line with other comparable properties?

princeofpounds

Given the LL assured you that the rent would not be going up, why has he changed his mind so quickly? Is it possible the agent is doing this unilaterally or was he just being dishonest before to avoid confrontation? Have you been in direct contact to confirm the situation?

Babbler

I dont know why. Probably the agent recommended it. I havent had direct contact no. Call me stubid but I trust the agency.

I will be puting in writing some problems which have yet to be resolved and state that we are not willing to pay an increase unless those problems are solved. Fair is fair.

Yes I did give examples of similar rents but still not interested.

g0recki

I've been through this too. My tip is to have it clear in your mind where you stand.

If the LL doesn't budge, will you lump it and end up re-signing anyway? Or will you need to move because you can't afford the increase?

Have a look at other lettings on the market at the moment to see what your other options genuinely are. Maybe you'll find somewhere nicer for less, or maybe you'll realise that the LL is being reasonable given market conditions.

Also bear in mind the hassle and cost of moving when factoring in your options.

If you become clear in your mind that you won't be moving even if he holds ground on 8%, sure, try and haggle, but also come to terms that this is how the market works.

If you have a look and find somewhere else, use it as an ultimatum. 'I have found an alternative option and will be taking it if the rent increase is more than X%.'

I did this, ended up looking at alternative options, moving into one of them, and while the move was hell, I'm now saving £50/month and am happier in my new place.

Good luck