Rent increase dilemma

When_the_Levee_Breaks

So we (me and my wife) rented a property since April last year on a 6 month AST. We originally wanted a 12 month AST but the LL has had some issues in the past and wanted to make sure we were right for her house so refused it. At the end of the fixed term it just moved over to periodic despite us asking for a bit more commitment as we have paid on time, looked after the house and stuck to all the terms of the contract.

I should probably mention that we haven't had an easy ride with the LA or LL. The oven in the house had been disconnected from the mains gas when moved in as it was no longer safe, the shower didn't work properly and the windows (old sash ones) are rotten. The oven was sorted 10 days after we moved in and the shower took three months whilst the LL and LA quibbled over the cost despite it effectively leaking into the kitchen as it was installed by a cowboy! The windows have never been touched despite numerous promises...

For this whole process the LL was virtually impossible to reach and never returned the LA calls or emails and never once apologised or offered some gesture for our inconvenience. I spent days on the phone and email trying to sort issues out.

Anyway to my point (and dilemma) the LL got in touch with the LA agent 4 days before Xmas and said she wanted to put the rent up an extra £50 a month (based on market demand apparently - nothing to do with her remortgage which we just had a surveyor around for) and was now ready to give us a 6 month AST.

Our house is already £50 more a month than the house next door (let only last week) and virtually identical. So if we agree to her terms we will be paying £100 a month more than next door plus an extra £100 to the LA to set up the contract!

Another identical house has come to the market at £50 less than we are paying now (so in line with next door) which will offer us a 12 month AST, but we will have the hassle and the cost of moving

The dilemma is do we;

A) bow to the LL, pay the extra £50 a month and agency fee - not really an option IMO
decline the increase and just stay on the periodic tenancy until she serves us 2 months notice
C) fight for a 12 month AST at the current rate
D) take the other house (we'll need to be quick!) and get the hell out of here!

Any thoughts would be welcomed

When_the_Levee_Breaks

I should probably add the LA disagreed with her suggested increase!

Marvel1

Landlord can't be bothered with repairs and not replying to letting agent and for £100 less, no brainer for me, option D.

G_M

It's a no brainer.

1) approach the LL/agent next door for a viewing

2) at same time, politely decline the 6 month contract at £50 more, citing the lower local rents and cost of new contract.

3) see what the LL says/does. He can, of course, serve you with a S13 Notice to increase the rent in a periodic tenancy. At which pint you give notice having already sused out alternatives. Or he might serve a S21.

4) or he may back down.

scriv

Yep, I would also take Option D - and should that not be successful, take Option B.

I would definitely not throw any more money in her direction.

She may have increased the rent because her mortgage is wanting to see a higher rent or the LA has asked her to increase the rent to incorporate the fee he should not be charging any more???

abby1234519

I wouldn't even be staying there with rotten windows. As far as I am concerned if a Landlord can't be arsed to sort out pretty essential repairs, then they are just after money!

Diodiva

Id say option D, this isnt a set of teething problems and a rocky relationship that's now settled down and is working well, youve still got rotten windows and a LL that's demanding without any benefit to you.

Book that viewing, point out youre local, reliable, looking for a longer term AST and that's the reason youre moving, rather than pay fees for paperwork, pay fees for hopefully a better place and more amenable LL!

TBagpuss

Option D sounds best. What will your move costs, andhow many moths will it take for it to pay for itself if you will be saving £50- £100 a month?
(plus naything you mahy save through lower heating bills if you have windows which fit properly!)

Since your current landlord doesn't sound as though they are interested in dealing with issues which arise you'd probably find it less stressful elsewhere.

If you can't get the new house, or if you can't face a move justs now, then go for option B and start looking now, and in the mean time write to the landlord reminding her that you have previously raised the issue of the windows and asking for a timetable on that repiar.

saajan_12

TBagpuss wrote: »

Option D sounds best. What will your move costs, andhow many moths will it take for it to pay for itself if you will be saving £50- £100 a month?

Firstly let me say I totally agree option D would be ideal.

But practically, there is an upfront cost and stress related to moving. How long would it take to break even in move costs v rent saving and how long would you have to put your life / free time on hold to focus on applying for a new place, packing, unpacking, changing addresses everywhere.. Just something to consider.

abby1234519

I moved houses with a 4x4 car once - I didn't want to pay removal costs so did it over the course of a week!!

Mossfarr

What moving costs? Its not like you will need to hire a removal firm to move a few doors away is it?
Yes it will be inconvenient and hard work but you will potentially be saving £100 per month and hopefully get a better landlord too.