Asking for rent reduction

AG47

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Urgh. That's a horrible letter. Far too much begging. You are in a strong position and your letter should read accordingly. Changes, below:

Dear Landlord

I write with reference to the rent being charged on this property.

As you may be aware, flat numbers 1,2,7&11 are all vacant and have been for some time; this is despite the lower rent. We have also noted that a couple of properties have been renovated and are in much nicer condition than our current home.

We have been very happy in this property, and, unlike some, we don't mind this distance to a tube station. As you are aware, we have been excellent tenants, with consistent, timely payment of the rent and we keep the property very clean and well maintained.

Given that we are such exemplary tenants, and taking into consideration the changes to market conditions in our area, we are writing to request a rent reduction. We would suggest that a reduction to £310 per week.

I am sure you would agree that it would be a shame for us to have to move, but with the forthcoming changes to letting fees, this certainly has become a possibility if an agreement cannot be reached.

Kind regards

As advised, send directly to the landlord as it's his decision and I wouldn't even trust the letting agent to pass it on. I've put a lower amount that you indicated - this is so you can negotiate and the landlord, if he agrees, will feel he has had a small win.

Of course, you absolutely should not send this letter if you are not serious about moving if the rent is not lowered.

Thanks so much, I am serious about moving if the rent is not lowered.

Yes I will send a more firm letter to the landlord himself.

He would be wise to look after a good tenant.

Good tenants are hard to find nowadays,

One question what is "with the forthcoming changes to letting fees, " all about?

societys_child

Good tenants are hard to find nowadays

Not sure about that, there are plenty of good tenants about. Maybe the LL doesn't think tenants who start demanding rent reductions and threatening to leave if they don't get one, are worth the hassle . .

jonnygee2

Not sure about that, there are plenty of good tenants about.

Given there are several empty flats in the OP's block, that's obviously not the case where they are.

Poison877

If You have done a bit of research already and know for certain You could move into a house of the same type (same size, same quality same location) and pay less then it's a no brainer situation, just tell your landlord You are considering moving.
If the market is so bad it will then be your landlord problem and priority to offer You a reduction to make You stay.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

AG47 wrote: »

One question what is "with the forthcoming changes to letting fees, " all about?

Letting fees are to be banned from June. This is assuming there are no final hiccups with Parliament. From MSE "At the moment, tenants can be charged admin fees – such as tenancy renewal fees, referencing fees and credit check fees – by landlords and letting agents. According to Citizens Advice, the average amount paid is £400.

But landlords and their agents will no longer be able to charge the fees for tenancies signed on or after 1 June.

Any costs will now need to be met by the landlord – and some have warned landlords may up their rents to recover these costs as a result"

This makes it cheaper for you to move.

Mr.Generous

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Urgh. That's a horrible letter. Far too much begging. You are in a strong position and your letter should read accordingly. Changes, below:

Dear Landlord

I write with reference to the rent being charged on this property.

As you may be aware, flat numbers 1,2,7&11 are all vacant and have been for some time; this is despite the lower rent. We have also noted that a couple of properties have been renovated and are in much nicer condition than our current home.

We have made tentative enquiries and believe at least one of these flats is prepared to negotiate a lower rental than the advertised figure for the right tenant.

We have been very happy in this property, and, unlike some, we don't mind this distance to a tube station. As you are aware, we have been excellent tenants, with consistent, timely payment of the rent and we keep the property very clean and well maintained.

Given that we are such exemplary tenants, and taking into consideration the changes to market conditions in our area, we are writing to request a rent reduction. We would suggest that a reduction to £310 per week.

I am sure you would agree that it would be a shame for us to have to move, but with the forthcoming changes to letting fees, this certainly has become a possibility if an agreement cannot be reached.

Kind regards

As advised, send directly to the landlord as it's his decision and I wouldn't even trust the letting agent to pass it on. I've put a lower amount that you indicated - this is so you can negotiate and the landlord, if he agrees, will feel he has had a small win.

Of course, you absolutely should not send this letter if you are not serious about moving if the rent is not lowered.

Good changes, I'd go a bit further added in red.

AG47

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Letting fees are to be banned from June. This is assuming there are no final hiccups with Parliament. From MSE "At the moment, tenants can be charged admin fees – such as tenancy renewal fees, referencing fees and credit check fees – by landlords and letting agents. According to Citizens Advice, the average amount paid is £400.

But landlords and their agents will no longer be able to charge the fees for tenancies signed on or after 1 June.

Any costs will now need to be met by the landlord – and some have warned landlords may up their rents to recover these costs as a result"

This makes it cheaper for you to move.

My ta is due May 1st

But every year there are no charges at all, we just renew the contract

If I move a month before June 1st it seems bad timing to pay all those fees just before they are gone

Ummmm what to do

Crashy_Time

AG47 wrote: »

I wouldn’t want to be a landlord in these certain times.

Trying to get tenants in your property when there are so many empty properties keep undercutting each other.

Brexit is partyto blame, it’s going to be painful all round no matter what happens.

It’s probably better to just pull the plaster off quick and leave with no deal, yes short term pain a lot of pain, but it’s over quick and then move on.

They are pulling it off slowly dragging out the pain by extending brexit which just extends the pain and suffering over more time.

It’s all good news for us tenants, uncertainty and lower rents and property prices being dragged out.

Yep, that way the Tories could probably stay in power with a different leader, the "No Brexit" idea, especially "The vote for May`s deal or lose Brexit" idea are political madness if you are an established politician, that will lead to Farage making his re-appearance on the stage and will probably mean chaos with coalition government and volatility A Go Go, the only better outcome if you want to unsettle the rigged property market would be a Corbyn government, and I suspect many who voted for Brexit in an attempt to rock the financial ponzi scheme will want Corbyn to finish the job at the next election.

The obvious attempts by the EU and Remain politicians in the UK to reverse or "soften" Brexit will fuel the populist anger which is going to hit EZ voting booths in May, and this will make our need to get clear of the imploding Great Project even more compelling IMO.

hazyjo

AG47 wrote: »

We have lived here for 5 years now and the rent hasn't gone down at all in that time.

Has it been going down generally during all that time? If it was rising in any of those years, did you ever receive an increase?

If not, I would actually say your reduction comes in the form of 'no increase' in line with inflation.

Try, but all means. But only if you're happy for increases when/if the rental market near you picks up.

It goes two ways.

Crashy_Time

The letter should be one paragraph, stating facts only, there are cheaper flats nearby (same block) and I will move if rent reduction can`t be agreed. Of course you have to be prepared to actually move if they say no, the landlord might believe that the rent is achievable with another tenant/refurb/wait for things to pick up approach or whatever. I would fully investigate a few new possibilities before sending the letter.