Renting: Monthly Rent raised by nearly 20%!!!

prudryden

HOWEVER, they can give only two weeks notice if the tenants consent to the rent rise. In this case, if they say no to the rent rise, then they may have to leave, if a S21 was signed at some point during the tenancy.

That is an incredible increase in the rent, which makes me think that the LL has what he needs and that he knows there are other people willing to pay that rate.

melli_2

prudryden wrote: »

HOWEVER, they can give only two weeks notice if the tenants consent to the rent rise. In this case, if they say no to the rent rise, then they may have to leave, if a S21 was signed at some point during the tenancy.

That is an incredible increase in the rent, which makes me think that the LL has what he needs and that he knows there are other people willing to pay that rate.

As far as I can remember no S21 has been signed. I shall double check when I get home from work.
Negotiating is the way forward though as they want to stay.

melli_2

The letting agents didn't know whether my flatmates were staying, but I have found an email I sent them a month ago stating that they were staying!
And the landlord definitely up-ed the rent yesterday, seconds after they found someone to replace me...
One flatmate is going to talk to a lawyer she know that does some housing law stuff so hopefully the LL and the LA won't be getting away with this

For the record, this letting agent is Black Katz in London, so if you are reading this, please be careful when letting through them!!

WTF?_2

melli wrote: »

The letting agents didn't know whether my flatmates were staying, but I have found an email I sent them a month ago stating that they were staying!
And the landlord definitely up-ed the rent yesterday, seconds after they found someone to replace me...
One flatmate is going to talk to a lawyer she know that does some housing law stuff so hopefully the LL and the LA won't be getting away with this

For the record, this letting agent is Black Katz in London, so if you are reading this, please be careful when letting through them!!

The LL/Agent can ask for whatever rent increase they want. If you don't want to accept it and they won't negotiate a lower rate then your choice is clear - leave.

You do however have the right to two month's notice so it's not like you can be kicked out summarily if you don't accede to the rent demand.

20% is extemely steep. It could well be that you've been enjoying a very good rate due to an oversight and they want to bring it to market rate. Or they could be idiots chancing their arms. The only way to be sure is to look around for rents on comparable local properties, which you'll need to do anyway if you are going to move. So get to it

melli_2

!!!!!!? wrote: »

20% is extemely steep. It could well be that you've been enjoying a very good rate due to an oversight and they want to bring it to market rate. Or they could be idiots chancing their arms. The only way to be sure is to look around for rents on comparable local properties, which you'll need to do anyway if you are going to move. So get to it

I think they are chancers. I have just checked Findaproperty.com and given what the LL and LA are wanting them to pay that would get a high end flat (ish) in Holloway. Where as our flat is falling to pieces and needs a completely new bathroom and kitchen and re-decorating.
Even the less nice, but still nice flats in Holloway are much cheaper than the rent increase.

Its good to know that if the LL and LA don't agree to the negotiations then they have some time to look

zebulon

just a thought...

if it goes into periodic - you're actually still going to be on the contract (joint AST) hence still liable for rent unless you arrange something with new tenant but s/he would not be on the lease, so that would be a bit messy and considered as sub-letting...
Food for thought.
because if no new contract is signed then LL/LA don't have to move in the new person, if you see what I mean (unless this person would have its own agreement I suppose but would they want to bother)

you said

And the landlord definitely up-ed the rent yesterday, seconds after they found someone to replace me...

I wonder if this new person actually know the new rent.

melli_2

zebulon wrote: »

just a thought...

if it goes into periodic - you're actually still going to be on the contract (joint AST) hence still liable for rent unless you arrange something with new tenant but s/he would not be on the lease, so that would be a bit messy and considered as sub-letting...

the actually contract expires...all of it on 4th July. It's a year contract,six months fixed and then if you want to move out after that you have to give a months notice.
As of 4th July I am no longer on the contract

cowtipping

zebulon wrote: »

if it goes into periodic - you're actually still going to be on the contract (joint AST) hence still liable for rent unless you arrange something with new tenant but s/he would not be on the lease, so that would be a bit messy and considered as sub-letting...
Food for thought.
because if no new contract is signed then LL/LA don't have to move in the new person, if you see what I mean (unless this person would have its own agreement I suppose but would they want to bother)

you said I wonder if this new person actually know the new rent.

Hello from one of the flatmates in question.

We are certainly not going to be sub letting. The new tenant will be on the lease (if we do indeed go ahead and stay here) and has to go through Black Katz and give them £95 'admin costs'.

And yes, obviously she does know about the new rent cost.

cowtipping

melli wrote: »

Morning,

I am posting on behalf of my soon to be ex-flatmates as I'm really quiet concerned about this....
I'm moving out of my rented room on Saturday, my rent for this room and the other two rooms was £470 per person PCM. However I have just found out from my flatmates that our landlord and letting agents are raising the rent to £598 per person PCM. That's a raise of £120 per person and I think, nearly 20%!!

It went up from £469 to £498, not £598. Whoops - stupid texting fingers. So you can calm slightly.

melli_2

cowtipping wrote: »

It went up from £469 to £498, not £598. Whoops - stupid texting fingers. So you can calm slightly.

doh! {facepalmdesk}

But they have still broken Section 13, Form 4b of the Housing Act