who really puts the rent up?

red_devil

When you rent through an agency who puts the rent up? If i ask my landlord about my rent he says its the owners decision but i cant help thinking that maybe the agency tells her to put it up? Anyone know?

notanewuser

red_devil wrote: »

When you rent through an agency who puts the rent up? If i ask my landlord about my rent he says its the owners decision but i cant help thinking that maybe the agency tells her to put it up? Anyone know?

:huh: The owner is your landlord/lady.

red_devil

i meant if i ask the agency?;)

notanewuser

red_devil wrote: »

i meant if i ask the agency?;)

Your AST should say when rent can be increased (usually on each anniversary). How much is up to your landlord/lady (usually after advice from the agent).

princeofpounds

The owner is not necessarily your immediate landlord, if your landlord is subletting to you. But that's not common.

The person who you negotiate rent with is your landlord. They may choose to delegate this power, and even the decision making, to an agent, that is up to them.

DRP

red_devil wrote: »

When you rent through an agency who puts the rent up? If i ask my landlord about my rent he says its the owners decision but i cant help thinking that maybe the agency tells her to put it up? Anyone know?

LL/owner makes the ultimate decision.

But I imagine any decent agent will be trying to maximise profits or 'tracking the market' as they would put it

G_M

The landlord is who you have a contract with. It is his property, and he receives the rent.


He may choose to delegate some things to an agent. These can include one or more of:

* finding a tenant
* providing a contract/inventory
* collecting rent
* managing repairs/problems
* renewing contracts/negotiating rent increases

It is entirely up to the landlord which of the above he wants to do himself, and which he delegates. Even if he has delegated something, he can of course change his mind and instruct his agent to do X (eg keep the rent as it is).

However, some landlords are either unwilling to get involved in management, or (esp 'reluctant' landlords letting theirownhomes) unaware of their own rights. They may simply do whatever their agent 'advises'.

See also:

Rent increases (how and when can rent be changed)

CharlieRabbit01

I think they are guided by the letting agency, my flat is under market value as my landlord wanted to make it affordable and didnt want to charge the full market value even though the agency told them they could make more.

red_devil

the agency says he will ask the owner about the rent But i have no way of knowing who really makes the decisions?

princeofpounds

the agency says he will ask the owner about the rent But i have no way of knowing who really makes the decisions?

Not if they don't want to tell you. As far as you are concerned legally, any communication coming from the agent is as if it comes from the landlord's own mouth. The agent is their direct representative.

Having said that, in practice there are of course often differences. So you can try to contact the LL direct if you like. I often encourage it when people suspect the agent is misrepresenting one or other party, but you can't guarantee they will talk to you directly.

aileth

It was Landlord for my parents, as she decided to put up the rent from £1,000 to £1,300. The agency were so embarrassed by her greed (no mortgage on the property) that they emphasised very clearly and very strongly that they had nothing to do with the figure she decided and tried to heavily dissuade her from it as she would lose them as good tenants.