Huge rent increase - is this legal?

jjlandlord

If the proposed increase is not excessive relative to the local market then the landlord can just force it on the tenant through section 13...

MarkBargain

30%?!

I am a landlord and I thought I'd leave the rent unchanged this year seeing as inflation is only 0.5%.

I feel sorry for your daughter and partner, especially in their first year living there. It's time tenants had more protection from this profiteering.

mrginge

MarkBargain wrote: »

30%?!

I am a landlord and I thought I'd leave the rent unchanged this year seeing as inflation is only 0.5%.

I feel sorry for your daughter and partner, especially in their first year living there. It's time tenants had more protection from this profiteering.

How charitable of you.
I'm not sure however how a halving of the oil price has much bearing on the cost of being a landlord or the market rent rate in the OP's area.
If viewings are taking place at this massively increased rate, it may suggest that it is perfectly in line with local comparables.

Onawingandaprayer

mrginge wrote: »

If viewings are taking place at this massively increased rate, it may suggest that it is perfectly in line with local comparables.

They're not. Early days admittedly, but there's not been one.

mrginge

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

They're not. Early days admittedly, but there's not been one.

Make your mind up.

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

... a To Let sign has been put up outside and prospective tenants are being shown around....

Onawingandaprayer

mrginge wrote: »

Make your mind up.

No need to be quite so snotty. I don't live there. I was told that prospective tenants were being shown round. That is clearly the plan because of the signage and the ads. But none have yet. Is that better?

pyueck

Onawingandaprayer wrote: »

No need to be quite so snotty. I don't live there. I was told that prospective tenants were being shown round. That is clearly the plan because of the signage and the ads. But none have yet. Is that better?

People on this forum are trying to help you, and therefore an accurate summary of the situation is vital to assess the situation. You said prospective tenants are being shown around, which is completely different from the property is being advertised.

I read what you said as meaning that the letting agent was letting themselves in without permission and showing people around. This is a million miles away from what it turns out is the case.

Onawingandaprayer

pyueck wrote: »

People on this forum are trying to help you, and therefore an accurate summary of the situation is vital to assess the situation.

I read what you said as meaning that the letting agent was letting themselves in without permission and showing people around. This is a million miles away from what it turns out is the case.

There's being helpful and there's being snippy. I don't see how 'make your mind up' can be construed as a helpful comment.

The landlady told them she'd be showing people round. It transpires, as of yesterday, that none have been so far. Not exactly 'a million miles' from what I said originally. But yes, my original post was slightly inaccurate. Please forgive me!

And thanks to all who have replied helpfully. It's very much clarified the situation for them.

DpchMd

Do some research on similar rental properties in the area. If the 30% increase is inline with the area, and your daughter can afford the increase and would like to stay there, then agree to the increase.

If not, advise your daughter to start looking for alternative properties.

Your daughter has certain legal rights (as described above) which will allow her to remain in the property for a while.

ruggedtoast

pyueck wrote: »

This is not correct in my opinion.


As I understand the law, if there is no contractual clause to do viewings then there is no legality to these viewings. If there is a clause the tenant must be given 24 hours written notice and can refuse them.


BTW this comment will probably lead to a long debate, other people disagree with me, up to you to decide who is right.

The contract and statute are separate things. The tenant has no obligation under statute to open up their home to random viewings by the general public. The landlord could try and sue them for breach of contract if they dont agree to this and they said they would in the contract however, though this wouldn't lead to an eviction.

Personally I would refuse all viewings and wait until they had S21'd me before leaving. Bloody rude behaviour, I hope the landlord and their grasping grubs in the letting agency end up with a nice long rental void. They certainly deserve one.