Rent Increase £450-£650 1 month notice

Phantele

Hi

I signed a 6 month contract on my 1 bed flat around 18 months ago. When the contract lapsed, it turned into a rolling monthly deal. In December, they sold all of the flats to a new developer (I haven't signed anything new).

Wednesday night (28th Feb) I got home to an email (and letter the following day) with a section 13 informing me that my rent would be increasing from £450 p/m to £650 p/m from 1st April (I pay my rent on 28th of the month).

I've contacted management who baffled me with how good this new developer is going to be etc. etc. It might be but that doesn't really help me.

Other people in my building are facing the same issue - obviously the timing of the increase depends on their contract.

The area is terrible and so nearby properties are e.g. 3 bed house for £350 p/m. £450 is still probably quite cheap for my flat, so I can understand a rent increase, but £200 on a months notice seems ridiculous.

I offered a slight increase in rent if I agree a contract but I'm waiting to hear back.

Any advice? I really don't want the hassle of moving right now.

Thanks.

theartfullodger

The s13 letter should explain how to appeal against the increase...
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_increases
- follow Shelter's advicee.

This new landlord: Have they (or someone else) served you notice of who they are, where rent should be paid, an address in England or Wales & their actual business address? If not, no rent due, possible criminal offence.

PS You are entitled to propose a decrease in rent: Bet they don't get many of them.

Cakeguts

Reading between the lines it might be that the rent increase is a way to get you to move so that the developer can modernise all the flats and charge at least that amount of rent once the flats have been modernised?

Phantele

Thanks guys.

Sounds like there's not a great deal I can do really unless I want to go down the tribunal route.

I thought there was maybe a cap on the percentage increase or something.

Also there's a part of the S13 which suggests a rent increase can only start at the point you normally pay rent (eg 28th for me), but the S13 also says my increase must be paid from April 1st (maybe it's just a joke!). Maybe I'll be able to do something around this.

Thanks again.

Comms69

Obviously if you don't agree, don't pay it.


But do expect to be moving with-in the next 3-4 months

Margot123

Comms69 wrote: »

Obviously if you don't agree, don't pay it.


But do expect to be moving with-in the next 3-4 months

I don't think that's the best advice to give the OP.
They would land themselves straight into an eviction/possession order by refusing to pay.

Perhaps OP might be best seeking advice from CAB or Shelter rather than random strangers on the internet?

Comms69

Margot123 wrote: »

I don't think that's the best advice to give the OP.
They would land themselves straight into an eviction/possession order by refusing to pay.

Perhaps OP might be best seeking advice from CAB or Shelter rather than random strangers on the internet?

Which is why I said be prepared to move in 3-4months?

Phantele

I'm sure CAB and Shelter give great advice, but they mean a journey which I'm unable to make right now. I could phone them and explain but random strangers on the internet often have useful information too, as long as you are able to recognise the appropriate type of response. It was just a quick question to see whether I'm overlooking something obvious, which I don't think I am.

Anyway thanks for the replies - looks like I'm moving very soon

Mermaid89

Don't listen to the a I've poster - it's not helpful and withholding rent will only lead to problems

Comms69

Mermaid89 wrote: »

Don't listen to the a I've poster - it's not helpful and withholding rent will only lead to problems

Yes because the OP isn't moving in either case....


just FYI it's not withholding rent. The Op disagrees with the increase.