Rental Increase - Advice please

DMUK

It doesn't seem like the rent increase is an issue, more the fact that the LL is not fulfilling the most basic of obligations.

Ordinarily, I'd side towards the person who told you to fix them yourself, but when more money is being requested from you (above rate of inflation) what is the landlord doing for that extra money?

To me the fact that it took you a little under a year to get the LL to get the hob fixed (presumably nothing a screwdriver could fix) means that if something else more major goes wrong, you'll have trouble getting it sorted, so I'd want something in return for my money.

Otherwise, you pay up, the plumbing dies, and you wait a year for it to be fixed? I'd stand my ground.

roguebrogue

DMUK wrote: »

To me the fact that it took you a little under a year to get the LL to get the hob fixed (presumably nothing a screwdriver could fix)

Yes it was an electrical fault (I think? No-one ever told us really). The hob is set into the worktop above the washing machine and one day it just wouldn't turn on...checked the fuses and everything.

IveSeenTheLight

silvercar wrote: »

A landlord can change the rent payable without the replacement of the existing tenancy agreement. The landlord should use the form "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent under an assured periodic tenancy of premises situated in England" (or the equivalent form in Wales). This would be a change of terms without the replacement of the existing AST agreement.

AFAIK the landlord can increase the rent at the end of a fixed term contract or, for periodic contracts, once a year.

I guess its in roguebrogues interest to secure the property for the term he wants given he is happy in the flat (assuming he resolves his maintenance issues) to ensure that he does not incur a rent increase and then find himself with 2 months notice should the LL think they can get a tenant in for more

IveSeenTheLight

roguebrogue wrote: »

I'm not sure whether I'd want a new contract or not, part of me likes the fact that if happen to find another flat we want then we can move out with one months notice, but of course there's the secruity of a contract meaning we're not going to get chucked out for a certain amount of time.

This is purely up to you.
As the LL has a tenant, he is unlikely to be looking to replace you, however should they decide to sell then you are only on a two month notice.

Look around now at other property prices, if you get another flat in the same area for the same rent or less, then it may be worth you moving in the hope you get a landlord who sorts out problems in a more timely manner

silvercar

then it may be worth you moving in the hope you get a landlord who sorts out problems in a more timely manner

or is it a case of better the devil you know?

Reading some of the problems people have posted I'm not sure. And that faced with the hassle of moving I may be inclined to stay put.

I might tell the landlord I will fix the blinds and bathroom lock, if he limits the rent increase to £10.

roguebrogue

Thanks everyone for the replies! Although I feel I should point out I am infact a She! Hehe! My name always confuses people!

SquatNow

While I'm not a LL, and dislike most LLs, I have to say if I WAS a LL and a tenant rang up and asked me to send around a maintenance man to re-attach the bathroom doorhandle, I'de ROLFMFAO.

Seriously... if you can't do a simple job like this yourself... how do you do the weekly shopping unsupervised?

Add to that, personally as a tennent I'de fix something like that myself and not tell the landlord, lest the LL (if they are as bad as you claim) say I broke it and charge me for repairs.

As for the blinds, for one set to break I'de say was possible, but for 2 sets? Sounds like missuse to me, especially if you've been pulling hard enough to pull one set off the wall.

roguebrogue

SquatNow wrote: »

While I'm not a LL, and dislike most LLs, I have to say if I WAS a LL and a tenant rang up and asked me to send around a maintenance man to re-attach the bathroom doorhandle, I'de ROLFMFAO.

Seriously... if you can't do a simple job like this yourself... how do you do the weekly shopping unsupervised?

Add to that, personally as a tennent I'de fix something like that myself and not tell the landlord, lest the LL (if they are as bad as you claim) say I broke it and charge me for repairs.

As for the blinds, for one set to break I'de say was possible, but for 2 sets? Sounds like missuse to me, especially if you've been pulling hard enough to pull one set off the wall.

And what missues do you think that might be? Swinging round the living room on them?
We did nothing but use them, they were badly attatched to the wall which is why I suspect they fell off, and the strings that were running down them snapped as if was not possible to open the window without scraping the bottom of the blinds (that's my guess anyway).

Please do not make judgements about what type of tennants we are.

Aslo the remark about shopping you made was completely uncalled for and I found it very offensive.

Sisyphus

Often it's the agent, who wants to prove their worth to the landlord, who is Thefirst to propose the rent rise. Happened to us last year. We ended up with a rent decrease and a red faced agent.

Personally, I might call their bluff, something along the lines of sort out the repairs, then let's discuss. If tenants stood up for themselves a bit more they might get a better deal.

kissingthepink

Rents are rising very steeply around my neck of the woods in South London. I'm not sure how they are where you are, but for me a 5% increase would be a bargain. You really need to get a feel for your local market before making a decision, although I agree that waiting nearly a year to get the hob fixed is a joke.