Rent increased by 23% in 2 years.

LaikaS

AdrianC said:

What does your original tenancy say about rental increases?
Or have you signed replacement tenancies at the new rent?

No new agreements, just a section 13 letter about increases every time.

macman

Re the wiring, I think you'll find that there is no earthing on the lighting circuits-very common on anything built before the 1960's, and only dangerous if the switches are metal. If the sockets really aren't earthed, I'd be moving out tomorrow.

chasingfreedom

It sounds like he is taking advantage of your nature in every way possible. He is walking all over you and has been getting away with it from the sounds of it. You've tolerated far more than most people would already. If you really want to stay in the property (not sure why you would from the sounds of it though) then I would tell him you want him to redecorate the house if he's increasing the rent. Pretty sure if you moved out nobody else would be prepared to pay the additional costs for what you are describing. Or was the rent really too low to start with and is now market value? How much does he want to increase it to and in what kind of area?

 Personally I would find somewhere better if I were you.

Hannimal

GDB2222 said:

I don't see how any of us can know whether this increase is excessive. The rent may originally have been at a low level. 

Looking at the percentages, it is clearly excessive over 2 years. It should not work so that a LL can advertise a property as a bargain and then increase rent rapidly to milk the tenant or force them to move. These kinds of rent increases should not be allowed.

GDB2222

Hannimal said:

GDB2222 said:

I don't see how any of us can know whether this increase is excessive. The rent may originally have been at a low level. 

Looking at the percentages, it is clearly excessive over 2 years. It should not work so that a LL can advertise a property as a bargain and then increase rent rapidly to milk the tenant or force them to move. These kinds of rent increases should not be allowed.

I once let to a tenant at a very low rent, on the understanding that he would decorate the place. (Of course, he didn't, and I've learned my lesson.) Maybe, that was the arrangement here? If so, increasing the rent would not only be legal, but perfectly moral. 

LaikaS

macman said:

Re the wiring, I think you'll find that there is no earthing on the lighting circuits-very common on anything built before the 1960's, and only dangerous if the switches are metal. If the sockets really aren't earthed, I'd be moving out tomorrow.

The switches are all metal and also quite old, specifically mention by the electrician as his reason for C2 unsatisfactory rating.

LaikaS

chasingfreedom said:

It sounds like he is taking advantage of your nature in every way possible. He is walking all over you and has been getting away with it from the sounds of it. You've tolerated far more than most people would already. If you really want to stay in the property (not sure why you would from the sounds of it though) then I would tell him you want him to redecorate the house if he's increasing the rent. Pretty sure if you moved out nobody else would be prepared to pay the additional costs for what you are describing. Or was the rent really too low to start with and is now market value? How much does he want to increase it to and in what kind of area?

 Personally I would find somewhere better if I were you.

The area is nice and the houses around here sell for an average of £120K, according to historical prices in 2015-2016, people sold houses on this street in similar condition to this one at £80K.

This is the most narrow house on the street however, with the least amount of renovation, others are open plan and expanded kitchen sizes, conservatories etc. Rent here started at £520 and then jumped to £565 and now £655

LaikaS

GDB2222 said:

Hannimal said:

GDB2222 said:

I don't see how any of us can know whether this increase is excessive. The rent may originally have been at a low level. 

Looking at the percentages, it is clearly excessive over 2 years. It should not work so that a LL can advertise a property as a bargain and then increase rent rapidly to milk the tenant or force them to move. These kinds of rent increases should not be allowed.

I once let to a tenant at a very low rent, on the understanding that he would decorate the place. (Of course, he didn't, and I've learned my lesson.) Maybe, that was the arrangement here? If so, increasing the rent would not only be legal, but perfectly moral. 

I'm not allowed to remove furniture that predates the Vietnam War, why would I be allowed to renovate? I had to argue just to put wood floor in the living room and offered to do other work, but told if I changed the carpet, I would have to keep the old carpet regardless in case "someone in their family wants the carpet one day".

I'm dealing with a very old person here, I don't think they're of healthy body or mind.

deannagone

I'd be looking at my budget and do everything possible to save as quickly as possible for that deposit. How does the rent compare to similar rentals in the area?

Stubod

Your landlord does not appear to be living in the real world, I would reject the request for an increase giving the reasons you have stated. Then prepare yourself for a move at some point and then let him start the eviction process if that's what he wants to do. By the sound of it it will be a long time before you actually have to move out?