Fixed term Tenancy with different payment date

rentdummie101

Hello,

Me and my partner are currently private renting a property where our tenancy start date was 09/12/24 for a fixed term of 1year. The estate agents pro-rated the first months rent up to the 31/12 so the payments would then fall on the 1st each month thereafter.

We've had a section 13 notice letter to say our rent will increase on the 09/12/25 but this caused a bit of confusion of how much we would then pay on the first of december so we reached out to the estate agents to see if the amount would be pro- rated. They said they made an error on the letter and the increase should take affect from the 1st inline with our payments. They then edited the letter and sent a copy via email along with highlighting on our contract where it says after the initial pro-rated amount for the first month " The rent is then due in advance by equal monthly payments by standing order on the 1st day of each month payable to the landords agent."

Is this not raising the rent before the fixed term is over?

Shouldnt the 01-08/12 be charged at our current rent rate?

 The estate agents have also said due to the first month being pro-rated our tenancy actually started on the 01/12/24, but how does the payment relate to the term?
Wouldn't that mean if we wanted to leave the property, we would have to vacate 8 days earlier than our fixed term?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated as have tried citizens advice and they couldnt help!!

theartfullodger

Agents/landlord can propose whatever they like for rent increase.  Suggest you follow the dispute process the notice should give you details of,

Nothing to stop you proposing a rent reduction.  (Been a landlord since 2000)

rentdummie101

theartfullodger said:

Agents/landlord can propose whatever they like for rent increase.  Suggest you follow the dispute process the notice should give you details of,

Nothing to stop you proposing a rent reduction.  (Been a landlord since 2000)

We don't have any issues with the rent increase amount, just when they are trying to increase it which would be before the fixed term ended. So is that still the case of they can raise it before then? 

Will look into the dispute process, thanks for the help!