Rent Increase

Supermummytobobby

Can someone tell me how much a private landlord can increase the rent by?

I am asking because my LL wants to inrease the rent by a minimum of £100.

Is there a law or regualtion about private rent increase.

Many thanks

theartfullodger

Supermummytobobby wrote: »

Can someone tell me how much a private landlord can increase the rent by?

I am asking because my LL wants to inrease the rent by a minimum of £100.

Is there a law or regualtion about private rent increase.

Many thanks

(Assuming you are in England...)

Are you still in the initial "fixed term"of the tenancy ?? If so, unless you want to agree with him, he may not increase the rent.

After the fixed term ends and the tenancy becomes a "periodic" one he can increase the rent through a "Section 13" (? I think?) notice - which you can challenge.. see.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/rent_and_rent_increases/private_tenancies

&

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/complaints_and_legal_action/tribunals/rent_asssessment_committeees
&
http://www.tenancyagreementservice.co.uk/rent-increases.htm

If however he is offering a new tenancy or a renewal on a new document he can propose any rent he wishes but you do not have to agree and may decline to sign. In which case the old tenancy continues as a "periodic" one. The Landlord can issue a "Section21" notice giving you a minimum of 2 months notice that he may start court proceedings to evict you.. and he does not need any reason to evict you - you may have always paid rent fully & on time, always kept the place perfect etc. You have Thatcher to thank for that Section21.

Suggest you start looking at what similar places go for locally - for 2 reasons...
a) SO you can challenge his increase if you wish to & show examples where he's asking above the local market..
b) So if he evicts you you'll know what is available...

clutton_2

you can contact the Rent Assessment Panel 01243 779394 and ask them for the number of your local office. They will set a fair rent for your property. BUt the LL may still, as outlined above, give you notice.

Supermummytobobby

Thanks for the replys.

My LL wants to serve us with the s.13 notice. What does that actually mean?

Euphoria1z

Supermummytobobby wrote: »

Thanks for the replys.

My LL wants to serve us with the s.13 notice. What does that actually mean?

It means hes going to increase the rent, as thats what a section 13 notice is, notice to increase rent.

Supermummytobobby

Ah ok, thanks for getting back to me.

He is retired solicitor so im sure he knows what he is doing.

To be fair he hasnt put up the rent in 4 years so we shouldnt be too shocked.

Does anyone know how much notice he needs to give us? As we are on a shorthold contract (not sure that is the right word for it)

Can he put the rent up next month or does he need to give us 1 month notice?

Our rent comes out on the 1st but he doesnt come to see us until tuesday to talk about it.

Sorry for all the questions

silvercar

One months notice to coincide with the end of a rent period and at least 12 months since the last increase. So he could appear on Tuesday with the notice.

Remember if you have been good tenants there is every reason to negotiate.

axisofunity

Yeah, there's room to negotiate, but if the rent has remained static for four years in the current situation of rising rents (for large areas of the country) then it is probably only fair. Remember Landlords have inflation of food prices, fuel costs and so on as well.

Supermummytobobby

I completey understand why he needs to put up the rent, but its a very big increase. We have become good friends with him, we go over to his house for coffee or he comes over here.

We are going to ask him if he can put the rent up gradually. We see what he says on tuesday.

Thank you all for getting back to me

theartfullodger

He doesn't NEED to increase the rent he just WANTS to. His costs haven't gone up, he just wants to be greedy.

Cheers!!

Artful (Landlord)

axisofunity

theartfullodger wrote: »

He doesn't NEED to increase the rent he just WANTS to. His costs haven't gone up, he just wants to be greedy.

Cheers!!

Artful (Landlord)

Sorry, I disagree. In four years of no rent increase, his costs have gone up

i) Landlords insurance will rise generally by inflation, doesn't matter if no claims or not
ii) Agency costs depending on whether you rent direct or he manages through an agency
iii) General inflation, currently running at 4% or so, combined with low interest rates means the cash being paid by the tenant loses value sitting in an account.
iv) Own expenditure, food, petrol, etc. If the landlord is a private one, and this property represents one of his sources of income then he has to work the income stream to match increases in his cost base.

Sorry, but it's just foolish to encourage the notion that in four years an individual's costs haven't risen. I know mine have and that's why we have inflation pay rises at work. If he is retired lawyer, no more salary rises, so time to make sure investments such as property work out.