Another rent increase thread

jimmynoton

I wonder if you could advise me.

I have been renting a room in a house in York since December 2017, sharing with three others. I found it via Spare Room.

Back in March of this year the landlord informed us that he will be taking the rent up by around £76 per person to £411.85 each.

Yesterday the landlord contacted one of my flatmates to tell us that he intends to increase the rent again to £600 (without bills) or £700-800 (with bills).

Is this an acceptable increase in such a short space of time? In the past, at other properties, my rent has been gradually increased year on year, not like this.

Also, he has failed to do simple administrative tasks that most landlords have done (ensuring that tenants have a copy of the How to Rent guide at the beginning of their tenancy for example). And I searched to see if the property has an EPC and found that it doesn’t. (Is this legal?) I then tried to find out if the property has / needs an HMO licence but it appears this information is not published online.

I just want to know what our rights are as tenants.

Any advice appreciated.

_Penny_Dreadful

jimmynoton said:

I wonder if you could advise me.

I have been renting a room in a house in York since December 2017, sharing with three others. I found it via Spare Room.

Back in March of this year the landlord informed us that he will be taking the rent up by around £76 per person to £411.85 each.

Yesterday the landlord contacted one of my flatmates to tell us that he intends to increase the rent again to £600 (without bills) or £700-800 (with bills).

Is this an acceptable increase in such a short space of time? In the past, at other properties, my rent has been gradually increased year on year, not like this.

Also, he has failed to do simple administrative tasks that most landlords have done (ensuring that tenants have a copy of the How to Rent guide at the beginning of their tenancy for example). And I searched to see if the property has an EPC and found that it doesn’t. (Is this legal?) I then tried to find out if the property has / needs an HMO licence but it appears this information is not published online.

I just want to know what our rights are as tenants.

Any advice appreciated.

Unless you’re in Clifton, Fishergate, Fulford & Heslington, Guildhall, Heworth, Hull Road, Micklegate or Osbaldwick & Derwent then your landlord does not require a licence for a HMO with 4 unrelated tenants. 

How was your rent increased in March? Did your landlord suggest it and you all just started paying it? 

What does your tenancy agreement say about rent increases? Are you in a fixed term or has the tenancy become periodic? 

Who is your landlord? The person wanting to increase your rent or one of the other occupants? 

propertyrental

Are you a tenant?

Sole tenant (only your name on your tenancy agreenment)?

Joint tenant (all 4 names on same TA)?

Licencee (sharing property with landlord)?

What does your contract (tenancy agreement or Licence agreement) say about rent increases, if anything? Please quote.

Are you in a fixed term contract? Start and end dates please.#

Or periodic (month by month/week by week)?

Have you received a S13 Notice?