problem with the agency/landlord

oliver22_2

Hi,


I have been living in the same property since 2007,a first floor flat with a double bedroom ,box room and a small garden.As it's time to renew he contract the agency rung a week ago with a proposition of an increased rent.She then said that the rent is fair for the 2 double bedrooms flat and for this area.So it's seems that the agency had wrong records all this time ,a double bedroom instead of the box room.

I emailed the landlord about the problem and he said that yes ,there was a problem about the way the agency keeps the records even before us but at the same time they OMMITED to record the garden! This is hard to believe as ,I remember wiewing the flat AND the garden back in 2007.So,in conclusion the landlord doesn't see as necessary a review of the previous rents.

An agent came today to see the flat for a new valuation.

I would like to make a complaint because I feel we overpaid for so many years because of the agency's mistake.What to do next?

Werdnal

You obviously were happy to pay the rent stated when you took the tenancy and all these years since, so even if it was over-priced, I doubt you would have any claim to refund. The time to haggle about the rent was before you moved in all those years ago.

Its like buying a car - its no good going back the garage next week, when you see the exact same model advertised somewhere else for a few 100 quid less and asking them to refund you the difference!

You haven't actually "overpaid" - you have paid the rent agreed on that property, so you accepted the terms offered.

Weird_Nev

I agree.
You paid the money you paid for the home you lived it - it doesn't matter if the estate agents have it listed as a box room or a mansion. You didn't do without the garden because no note was made of it on a bit of paper!
If you don't like the revised rent, you can negotiate it down on the grounds that you've been a solid tenant for some 7 years but you have to accept that the market dictates that rents change over time. No doubt your pay has changed over time too (for better or worse).

If no agreement can be reached then it's time to look for somewhere new to live.

G_M

You can't re-negotiate the rent you agreed on the tenancy agreement you signed.

For the NEW rent, read:

Rent rises (how/when can rent be increased)

RAS

You can however WRITE to the agency and point out that the property is one double room and a box room and their records are incorrect? Or find out what they are charging for similar locally?