Unreasonable rent hike?

daninmanchester

I got a letter from my letting agent today saying that the landlord want to change my contract to long term and increase the rent.
Initially when I moved in I had an assured short hold which then moved in to a rolling one month contract.

I can't sign a long term agreement due to my work situation, but i don't know why the landlord would want to throw me out as I've been a tenant for over three years.

A new letting agent took over the property and now they want to hike the rent by 15% and put me on a long term fixed contract.

I do think the 15% rent rise is excessive. It is a bit below market value at present I think maybe 5% 10% at the VERY most.

Do I have any grounds to challenge this?

I think this might be the agent rather than the landlord.

I will contact the landlord directly and appeal to his better nature as I'll have no choice to move and that will cost him finders fees etc.

G_M

You can't be forced to sign a contract. However as you're on a periodic tenancy, you could be served a S21 Notice and given 2 months notice.

Whether the LL/agent would do this we don't know.

However there's a difference in motivation between the landlord and the agency.

The LL will probobly want to keep you - a known, reliable tenant.

The agent will earn extra fees if you leave (to find a new tenant).

so speak to your landlord if you can.

See also:

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

* Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?