Rent increase due to Iran.

Magic_Sister

Hi all. My landlord is wanting to increase my rent from £900 to £1100 (22%) and is blaming it on Trump and Iran.
I think it’s a very high increase. Is there anything I can do? Thanks!

Exodi

Does the new rent reflect local market rates for comparable properties?

The excuse seems pretty absurd, but there is no cap on the level of increase, only that it must be fair and reasonable.

To play devils advocate, it could be that you've been getting a bargain for quite a while and a big increase was needed to reduce the gap.

user1977

Which of the UK nations are you in, what sort of tenancy is it?

Magic_Sister

England. AST rolling. Been here 4.5 years. Local rents are £100- £200 cheaper than what he’s putting it up to. Ima a good tenant, pay on time, look after the place, do all minor repairs, give him no trouble.
Devastating. My wage has not gone up 22%. Neither have interest rates. Guess I’ll have to suck it up.

theartfullodger

How did he propose this increase? A formal (s13?) notice.

Nothing to stop you proposing some other rent change - e.g. a rent reduction.

He sounds a bonkers loonie. Just upset he didn't invest in oil.…

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81944659#Comment_81944659

No, you don't have to.

If market rents in the area are £900-1000 (1-200 less than the new rent) then that's what I'd negotiate for yours. The rationale is you'd better off leaving if he wanted higher than that, plus if he got a new tenant then he'd be in competition with other properties so he'd only get something similar to other local properties.

How you negotiate / dispute depends on how he has asked for the new rent.

• If he's sent a S13 then you must dispute with the tribunal (the S13 notice should tell you how).
• If he's informally requested it you can refuse or negotiate.

Magic_Sister

WhatsApp message…!

I have generally good relationship with him. we don’t really bother each other much.

My daughter is disabled and moving would be such a nightmare. I am so shocked that it’s so much! Can’t see that I can do anything but suck it up.

Brie

sounds like his general living expenses have gone up and he's letting you pay for it. The only way he might justify such an increase with this excuse is that if the rent includes gas and electric and even then I think he's out of line.

Since he's told you via What's App I'd reply in the same way to say that as there is no justification related to the flat then the answer is no you won't be paying more.

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81944793#Comment_81944793

We've said what you can do. If you just want to complain, perhaps move this to the praise & vents board.

Exodi

Magic_Sister

I have generally good relationship with him.

I can imagine it's quiet easy to be courteous to someone paying you market rate rent, on time, while looking after the place, doing all minor repairs and providing no trouble!

I can't imagine your relationship is as good as you think given the nonchalant 20%+ rent increase above the market rate, via WhatsApp no less, with a frankly offensive justification. Even if your tenancy included bills, and you used oil for heating, the increase doesn't seem reasonable.

Admittedly when I first read the title, I assumed the thread would be satire.

As @Brie said, I suspect his personal expenses have gone up and he's getting you to cover it. I also agree with initially rejecting the increase by WhatsApp and going from there.

Food for thought, I can't imagine someone serving a rent increase via WhatsApp is likely to be the sort of landlord performing annual gas safety checks, providing an EPC, etc…

Jemma01

No, absolutely not. My ex agent tried to convince my landlord to increase the rent by £100, I said, good luck I'm leaving, he withdrew, 1 year later we settled on £50 increase, and 5 months later I was in my new home.

If you're as good as you say you are, he won't risk your exit. No one wants an empty property. After all, other tenants won't choose 22% above market rate just because.