who really puts the rent up?

princeofpounds

well they might have done that, or they might just be saying that to make their life easier dealing with your parents. But yes it's quite possible the landlord ordered the agent to push through the increase.

Is it all done and dusted now or are you trying to contest the rise somehow?

Flashmanchop

Landlord ultimately, but as others have said this is whoever is listed upon your AST agreement.

it is however often in the agents interest as they are on a % fee based payment of rent. Rent Increases are common, but have to follow the prescribed format laid out in the agreemnt you have both signed.

red_devil

house has been in the family for years, i mean years and there is no mortgage for sure. The current owner didnt even pay for it it was passed to her!

They have had loads of loads of rent over the years and had the home looked after by a careful tenant like me. I have also done major improvements to the home and they have done as little as possible. in fact they probably owe me.



I am paying as much as i can and said i cant afford the increase and also pointed out what work i had done etc. The agency says i will pass your comments on. I am waiting to hear. I guess i will never know who is pushing for more rent the agents or the owner?

The greed is starting to disgust me.

BitterAndTwisted

Any tenant who pays for improvng their landlord's property is a bloody fool.
One way of concentrating your landlord's mind is to intimate that if the increase is unreasonable compared to the rest of the market you will leave, and that it would be a terrible pity if they won't be able to line up a new tenant immediately because they won't be able to get in during your notice-period for viewings.

A void of a month could in all likelihood wipe out a year's-worth of an increase, maybe more. Reliable long-term tenants who look after the place (never mind making improvements free of charge) are like gold-dust and many landlords would do well to remember this. Sensible ones already know it

red_devil

I wouldnt say i was a fool. I wanted a nice home and there were certain things i had to do there to make it nice. for instance they wouldnt provide a shower only a bath and I wanted showers who dosent these days! There was no heating and i managed to get some gas wall heaters installed on a grant. They refused to put any heating in. They put down cheap carpet in the kitchen instead of lino, the carpet got filthy and worn and I replaced it with lino.

I agree with you in that they should value me and see what I have done and be thankful, and thankful for all the rent they have had, unfortunately it just seems to be how much money they can keep taking out of you? Really i think they owe me;)

BitterAndTwisted

Honestly, I think you are probably over-thinking all of this. Your landlord could suggest an increase in rent prompted by the agent's encouragement. Agents have an agenda and that is increasing their income based on the percentage of rent collected, so increasing the rent increases their percentage. But you can suggest a decrease or no increase at all based on the cost of improvements you are responsible for.

As I said before, using the implied threat of leaving and not allowing viewings during your notice-period could dissuade your landlord from insisting on an increase. Most tenants, once they have found an alternative property often have to give a month's notice, so if the agent can't access your property for viewings they won't be able to secure any rent for weeks and weeks, probably a month or possibly even longer. So, you need to use this as leverage.

HarryBarry

red_devil wrote: »

I wouldnt say i was a fool. I wanted a nice home and there were certain things i had to do there to make it nice. for instance they wouldnt provide a shower only a bath and I wanted showers who dosent these days! There was no heating and i managed to get some gas wall heaters installed on a grant. They refused to put any heating in. They put down cheap carpet in the kitchen instead of lino, the carpet got filthy and worn and I replaced it with lino.

I agree with you in that they should value me and see what I have done and be thankful, and thankful for all the rent they have had, unfortunately it just seems to be how much money they can keep taking out of you? Really i think they owe me;)

You rented a house, since you agreed the monthly fee the house has had a few things done to improve it. It has a shower, better heating and nicer kitchen floor. Therefore it is probably more appealing and the increase in rent to reflect the improved house could be justified.

This is why some people would call you a fool. Improving the house using your own money might have lead to an increase monthly fee, or lead to your eviction (and no benefit of the stuff you paid for). They probably feel more comfortable evicting you now as the house is better so will be easier to get a new tenant.

I guess you could always tell them if you are leaving you are taking your stuff with you and will put it back to how it was....