Letting Agent Increased rent without telling me

*~Zephyr~*

Just had a phone call from the letting agent I use telling me that my tenant has signed for another year in the house I rent out. This is obviously good news, she's a good tenant, I'm glad she's staying.

But then the LA went on to say "oh and we increased the rent by £25 for you". I was a bit taken aback and just said "oh, right". Apparently, quite a few LL's locally have sold up and supply of 3 beds now falls way short of demand, so rents are going up.

Thing is, I didn't want the rent to increase. I know that HB hasn't increased, so my tenant will have to find that extra £300 from somewhere else and that bothers me.

The more I think about it, the more annoyed I feel that they they did that without asking me first. I'm going to ring them back now and tell them I don't want the rent to rise. Am I mad?

jimmy_cricket

No, I think you are being very nice and fair. I would think it a good way to keep a tenant long term which is good if they are a good tenant

PersianCatLady

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

Thing is, I didn't want the rent to increase. I know that HB hasn't increased, so my tenant will have to find that extra £300 from somewhere else and that bothers me.

The more I think about it, the more annoyed I feel that they they did that without asking me first. I'm going to ring them back now and tell them I don't want the rent to rise. Am I mad?

You have every right to feel annoyed about it and if your tenant is on HB you may find that this extra £25 a week is not worth it all things considered.


I would definitely make a complaint.

*~Zephyr~*

I just phoned the LA back. Apparently, the tenant has already signed at the increased rent and "there's nothing they can do now".

Not happy. Believe this is just flannel - surely they can just tear up the TA and write another one?!? - and have asked for the manager to call me back.

I'm getting a bit cross now...

PersianCatLady

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I just phoned the LA back. Apparently, the tenant has already signed at the increased rent and "there's nothing they can do now".

Not happy. Believe this is just flannel - surely they can just tear up the TA and write another one?!? - and have asked for the manager to call me back.

I'm getting a bit cross now...

I would threaten to change agents at the earliest opportunity if they are behaving like this, they seem to think that you work for them whereas actually they work for you.

Pixie5740

What does your contract with LA say about their authority to increase the rent? Was there anything in the original tenancy agreement about rent increases?

I suppose from a tenants point of view the rent is unlikely to remain the same rate forever so I'd rather find £25pcm than have a massive jump in rent further down the line.

*~Zephyr~*

Pixie5740 wrote: »

I suppose from a tenants point of view the rent is unlikely to remain the same rate forever so I'd rather find £25pcm than have a massive jump in rent further down the line.

Thanks Pixie. I appreciate that point of view and hadn't thought of it like that.

My main concern is that I have a good tenant, single mum, two kids, HB claimant who just wants to rent close to her mum (for help with child care) and her preferred schools.

What I don't want is for her to feel priced out of her chosen area. I know its just the way Capitalism works, but it's really not fair.

And no, I'm not a saint - I am also concerned about loosing a good tenant too.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

I think it's very unprofessional from the agent - if you don't want the rent to increase you should insist that they sort this out and return the rent to the lower value. I'd be very interested to see what the manager has to say.

*~Zephyr~*

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

I think it's very unprofessional from the agent - if you don't want the rent to increase you should insist that they sort this out and return the rent to the lower value. I'd be very interested to see what the manager has to say.

Me too! Am awaiting his call with baited breath!

always_sunny

I would definitely shop for a new agent and basically give them notice now, 12 months in advance.
Can you refund the extra £25 to the tenant and deduct it from the rental income?

I would always prioritise a good tenant over a small increase.
Actually that was the reason I left my last flat; a very small rent increase.

*~Zephyr~*

always_sunny wrote: »

I would definitely shop for a new agent and basically give them notice now, 12 months in advance.
Can you refund the extra £25 to the tenant and deduct it from the rental income?

Yes, I could, but that way the Agent would still take 8% of the increased rent for his fee, and that sticks in my craw!

always_sunny wrote: »

I would always prioritise a good tenant over a small increase.
Actually that was the reason I left my last flat; a very small rent increase.

Thanks for that insight - that's what I am afraid of.