Rent increases and decorating.

Jami74

We've just recieved a letter asking for an increase in rent of £30 per month. It works out as a 4% increase. It seems like quite a lot, is this a normal amount?

Last year the rent increased by £35 per month which was an increase of 5% but that was due to no rent increase in the previous two years (long story, we had a £900 water bill due to a leak and the letting agent had been slow about dealing with it so agreed not to increase the rent).


Also, a couple of months ago the roof had a leak and water was running down one of the bedroom walls. It took a few days but then the roof was patched up. Some of the paper has come off the wall and the ceiling has a small bit of a black patch/hole. I wondered who is responsible for redecorating that bit of wall. Every year we repaint throughout but because the paper has come off I wouldn't know how to deal with it as the paper seems to go onto the ceiling (low slanting ceiling). I hate asking the letting agent, last time a plumber came to replace a leaking pipe they wanted to charge us £200.

BitterAndTwisted

That proposed rent-increase can only be viewed as reasonable once you have compared it to what other similar properties are being rented for in the same neighbourhood.

In your position I would be doing some extensive research first and then I'd be negotiating with the landlord for a fair increase in return for the decorating being done. In the meantime I'd be reporting the rain-damage IN WRITING if you haven't done it already.

thelem

That black patch is mould and is a health risk, so I'd get it sorted.

Jami74

Thank-you. The rent will be inline with other properties in the area so we will just accept it.

I will send photos of the damage and decor and hopefully they will advise me on it. It would be great if they sent someone to fix it without charging us.

dancingfairy

I'm sorry but if there is damage to a leaky pipe then that is down to the landlord to pay the bill (presuming you haven't done anything strange to it yourself). Ditto the paper in the bedroom. How on earth can anyone try and bill you? Sounds like the letting agent/landlord are taking you for a ride.
df

N1AK

Jami74 wrote: »

Thank-you. The rent will be inline with other properties in the area so we will just accept it.

You can always try and negotiate, but if you want to stay there it needs to remain friendly. If you've paid on time, not caused trouble or done damage then they won't want you to leave. Also if you can commit to staying for a longer period that may be worth a discount.

You might for example be able to:

• Agree to the higher rent and get some redecoration work done swiftly (they should be responsible for the leaks consequence anyway).
• Sign a longer contract in return for no or a smaller increase in rent.
• Agree to the increase but defer it until after Christmas (worth ~£90-120)