Landlord stalling before tenancy renewal

RSDH95

Hi all, sorry if this/something similar has been posted before, but I wanted to know if anyone could advise on my current situation. 

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December the landlord/building manager sent through an expression of interest to us asking if we wished to extend our contract for another year, however, we didn't receive an update from them once we replied with confirmation. 

We chased several times in the interim, but it wasn't until last week we received a follow-up advising that we have 14 days to agree to a 40% rent increase or our tenancy will lapse. 

We tentatively emailed them asking that, given they are asking for a large rent increase, we would like two specific issues to be amended (one being a broken coffee table and a broken sofa they've been reluctant to replace - these have been noted as wear and tear, not through misuse). 

We've not heard anything further and we're concerned they are stalling us so that we have no choice but to accept at the end of the week. 

The building managers have done similar things in the past, namely in January, where they gave a week's notice that all heating bills in the building would increase from £35 to £135 a month with no room to appeal/query/challenge. 

Appreciate this might be quite niche, but I'm struggling to find any relevant info online about this issue and we're quite pressed for time (the 14-day deadline has meant we haven't been able to assess options or consider moving). 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

JuzaMum

Your tenancy will move to a rolling contract when the fixed period ends. No need to renew or agree to such a ridiculous increase.  If they want to increase the rent they is a process to do this. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will soon come along and advise. 

propertyrental

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December 

Your fixed term ended end of December 2022? Or in 10months from now december 2023?

Your tenancy will NOT 'lapse' if you do not agree.

If you do not sign a new contract when the current original one expires, you automatically move toa periodic (rolling) tenancy (assuming you are in England). The rent stays the same.

Whether and how the LL can then increase the rent depends if the original contract had a clause about rent increases.

If you choose to agree/sign a new contract, you can do so on any rent you agree.

Worth considering how your current, and proposed, rent, compare with other similar local properties.

Read
Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Post 5: Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

RSDH95

propertyrental said:

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December 

Your fixed term ended end of December 2022? Or in 10months from now december 2023?

Your tenancy will NOT 'lapse' if you do not agree.

If you do not sign a new contract when the current original one expires, you automatically move toa periodic (rolling) tenancy (assuming you are in England). The rent stays the same.

Whether and how the LL can then increase the rent depends if the original contract had a clause about rent increases.

Read
Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Post 5: Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

That's my fault, sorry I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of renting. 

The tenancy agreement we've signed expires on 19 Feb 23, but they've given us until Friday to agree to a new tenancy agreement - with the increase included. 

In December, they asked us if we were looking to renew (ahead of Feb 23), but we didn't hear back from them until last week. 

Will check those links out though - thank you!

_Penny_Dreadful

RSDH95 said:

propertyrental said:

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December 

Your fixed term ended end of December 2022? Or in 10months from now december 2023?

Your tenancy will NOT 'lapse' if you do not agree.

If you do not sign a new contract when the current original one expires, you automatically move toa periodic (rolling) tenancy (assuming you are in England). The rent stays the same.

Whether and how the LL can then increase the rent depends if the original contract had a clause about rent increases.

Read
Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Post 5: Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

That's my fault, sorry I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of renting. 

The tenancy agreement we've signed expires on 19 Feb 23, but they've given us until Friday to agree to a new tenancy agreement - with the increase included. 

In December, they asked us if we were looking to renew (ahead of Feb 23), but we didn't hear back from them until last week. 

Will check those links out though - thank you!

The fixed term ends 19th February but if you remain in occupation you will automatically start either a contractual or statutory periodic tenancy 20th February.  There is nothing the landlord can do to prevent this.

propertyrental

RSDH95 said:

propertyrental said:

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December 

Your fixed term ended end of December 2022? Or in 10months from now december 2023?

Your tenancy will NOT 'lapse' if you do not agree.

If you do not sign a new contract when the current original one expires, you automatically move toa periodic (rolling) tenancy (assuming you are in England). The rent stays the same.

Whether and how the LL can then increase the rent depends if the original contract had a clause about rent increases.

Read
Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Post 5: Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

That's my fault, sorry I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of renting. 

The tenancy agreement we've signed expires on 19 Feb 23, but they've given us until Friday to agree to a new tenancy agreement - with the increase included. 

In December, they asked us if we were looking to renew (ahead of Feb 23), but we didn't hear back from them until last week. 

No - my mistake. I missed the full stop in your post!

We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal. In December ....

and read t as "We are currently renting and our tenancy is up for renewal in December ...

Sorry. 

But it does not change the advice I gave (assuming England).

diego_94

Make sure you come back to here for advice, and don't agree to anything with the landlord or agents.