Rent increase

klclarke

Does anyone know if private landlords are still within their rights to increase rent during lockdown or if as a tenant I have any rights to protect myself from this seen as my OH has been furloughed? We have continued paying rent but our contract is due to end in a couple of weeks and we have just been informed today she intends to increase the rent, it just seems an unfair time to do it with the current situation we are in.

bradders1983

They are allowed, yes. Not really in the spirit of things at the moment granted, but there we are.

You can of course vote with yout feet given you will be out of contract. 

sharpe106

If the increase is too high look elsewhere.

Grumpy_chap

You could try to negotiate.  Maybe sign for another year if the rent is kept at current level.  How does your rent compare with the current local market rates?  I doubt the landlord will want an empty property, and void period with no rent.  Assuming, of course, you have been 'good' tenants and the landlord doesn't want or need you out for another reason.

Mrsn

Quiet often rent reviews are made yearly there isn’t anything wrong or untoward about that, I do agree that the timing isn’t ideal but ultimately yes it can be done.

Have an open and honest conversation with your landlord if you can, if you want to stay there and are happy then see if you can negotiate something for the next 12 months but they are within their rights to say no. Also would be good to see if the increase they are proposing is reasonable compared to other rentals in the area.

GHolmesAdmin

My rent was increased via email the day the lockdown began. Decidedly tacky move but I have paid the increase because I already knew back then that I was moving out soon.  I couldn't be bothered to create about a couple of months of increased rent.  Lockdown has of course delayed my departure but now removals are up and running my notice will be going in. If I am asked why I am moving out I will say it was the distasteful way the rent was increased. That's not the reason but it will give me some small pleasure to imply it is lol.

gt94sss2

Landlords have to give a certain amount of notice (by law) before they can put up the rent - this is usually one month.
If you don't want to pay a valid rent increase, your landlord currently has to give you a minimum of 3 months notice to move even if your contact ends
You might want to post in the buying/selling/renting forum for more details

[Deleted User]

sharpe106 said:

If the increase is too high look elsewhere.

*facepalm*

If it were that easy no one would be putting up rents.