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Original poster

Rent increase

68 replies

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 08:49

Hello all me and dp moved into our 1 bedroom flat in 2018 and we pay £425 a month we are very lucky in that our landlord has never increased the rent I am completely aware of that. Its extremely dated and shabby and no heating there was just a old dated electric fire in the living room which we got rid off as it was awful we just bought our own electric heaters for summer months.
Landlord has hardly spent much on it during our time here he bought it at auction and it more or less stands the same he didn't refurbish it update etc for prospective tenants.
He is now saying he needs to look at raising the rent as his accountant has advised him he should.
They are saying market value is about £675 but I told him that's too much too soon and the place needs updating.
I would rather keep the rent low and not update as we are under alot of pressure financially at the moment.
Please can anybody advise on a fair increase and how I can negotiate with him.

OP posts:
Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:45

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:40

I earn just 15k and dp about 24k

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OK fair enough I see you have health issues so can’t work more.

Either way you’re still bringing in a decent wage of 39,000. Slightly above average household income while paying far less in rent than most people . And I’m assuming neither of you have kids?

Do you have student loans or massive debts?

If not - that’s about £2500 a month income between the two of you after tax ( And obviously a few hundred less if you have student loans)

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:45

BigGlassHouseWithAView · 18/05/2024 09:43

Can you claim benefits for your health issues?

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I've tried not entitled to anything was refused pip

OP posts:
BigGlassHouseWithAView · 18/05/2024 09:43

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:42

I work 30 hrs per work roughly as I have numerous health issues

Can you claim benefits for your health issues?

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:42

I work 30 hrs per work roughly as I have numerous health issues

OP posts:
Einwegflasche · 18/05/2024 09:41

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:40

I earn just 15k and dp about 24k

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Are you working part time?

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:40

Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:38

OK so NMW is much higher than it was when I earned that in 2015.

according to the internet it works out as £23,000 for full- time workers (unless you’re super young which I assume you’re not if you’ve lived there for 6 years).

23 x 2 is £46,000. You bring in a decent combined wage. I agree with pp I wouldn’t have pushed it down to £500 as a £100 increase after 6 years is reasonable.

I earn just 15k and dp about 24k

OP posts:
Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:38

OK so NMW is much higher than it was when I earned that in 2015.

according to the internet it works out as £23,000 for full- time workers (unless you’re super young which I assume you’re not if you’ve lived there for 6 years).

23 x 2 is £46,000. You bring in a decent combined wage. I agree with pp I wouldn’t have pushed it down to £500 as a £100 increase after 6 years is reasonable.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:38

Einwegflasche · 18/05/2024 09:33

If you are in the UK this might help.
Bear in mind that the increase is over 6 years, so while it seems excessive, many people will have had several rent increases in that time period: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases

Edited

Yes I have to take into consideration the rent hasn't risen in 6 years.

OP posts:
Einwegflasche · 18/05/2024 09:33

If you are in the UK this might help.
Bear in mind that the increase is over 6 years, so while it seems excessive, many people will have had several rent increases in that time period: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:33

He gave me a tenancy agreement back in 2018 and has never renewed it

OP posts:
Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:30

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:21

We are not in a good place right now financially both minimum wage jobs and have a big essential we are struggling to save for.

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depending on where you live £400/500 is not the norm for flats.

So if one day landlord decides to get his act together, renovate the house and sell in a hurry or (sorry to be morbid!) passes away suddenly and they force a sale, you could be left competing for far pricier flats and if you’re not prepared it could be difficult.

Basically save as much as you can because this low rent situation might not last forever.

When I was in a minimum wage job back in 2015 I paid £400 per month (for a room) on my own although that was including bills.

Edit to add : I don’t what “essential “ you’re saving for but having enough for somewhere decent and safe is also an essential. My essentials are food, rent , bills, toiletries. If I was on a NMW job and struggling to pay for even a low rent with my partner, I’d ask whether this “big essential” really is essential and consider taking a second job or reducing the amount I saved.

Whinge · 18/05/2024 09:28

Beefcurtains79 · 18/05/2024 09:25

675 to 525 is a result, I’m not sure I would have pushed him to 500.

I agree. For the sake of £25 I wouldn't have negotiated, especially as you're unable to afford other places if he decides to evict you.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:27

He's tried to sell it twice without success as too much work to do on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:26

femfemlicious · 18/05/2024 09:22

If he agrees to the 500 I would agree and start saving up to move to a better place. You can't live like this forever.

I'm quite depressed about my situation I'm in a dated flat and I have no money to better myself.

OP posts:
sleekcat · 18/05/2024 09:25

£525 is very reasonable, I think you have got a good deal. You are unlikely to find anything cheaper.

Beefcurtains79 · 18/05/2024 09:25

675 to 525 is a result, I’m not sure I would have pushed him to 500.

Einwegflasche · 18/05/2024 09:25

Your landlord isn't being unreasonable in increasing the rent, however he doesn't sound that great in terms of making sure it's a safe place for anyone to live. I'd be inclined to start looking for somewhere else based on the second point, but be prepared to pay a (much) higher going rate rent. Your financial situation isn't really his concern, much as that sounds harsh, he doesn't owe you anything beyond providing habitable accommodation (which it sounds like he possibly isn't doing).

femfemlicious · 18/05/2024 09:22

If he agrees to the 500 I would agree and start saving up to move to a better place. You can't live like this forever.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:22

BigGlassHouseWithAView · 18/05/2024 09:20

You confused people by saying you have negotiated £500, making it sounds like it was a done deal.

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Sorry about that I've tried to call him and he declined the call

OP posts:
Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:21

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:18

No I've asked for 500 but he hasn't responded

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well if you say he put it down to 525 so you’ll either be paying -500 or 525 if you decide to stay . Not a massive difference.

Definitely still lower than most one bedroom flats.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:21

Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:16

good result OP, £500 is very reasonable.

Also can you share roughly what part of the country you’re in? Is it a city? I’m just curious as most one beds in the places I’ve lived, even back in 2018, were not as cheap as that.

are you and your partner working full time though? I’m surprised you’d struggle with £675 split between you especially after having low rent for so long.

However, i do agree rent increases shouldn’t be that much.

Perhaps start using the money you’re saving now to make plans to move somewhere better where the landlord is following the rules and you don’t need to push him on basic issues like safety.

We are not in a good place right now financially both minimum wage jobs and have a big essential we are struggling to save for.

OP posts:
BigGlassHouseWithAView · 18/05/2024 09:20

Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:18

No I've asked for 500 but he hasn't responded

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You confused people by saying you have negotiated £500, making it sounds like it was a done deal.

Original poster
Lacky301 · 18/05/2024 09:18

Crepester · 18/05/2024 09:17

@Applescruffle Op has negotiated it down to £500.

No I've asked for 500 but he hasn't responded

OP posts:
PotatoPudding · 18/05/2024 09:18

I think a 58% rent increase is unacceptable. I am a landlord and
felt guilty raising the rent from £425 to £475 in one jump after 8 years, but my mortgage has gone up and the condition of the mortgage is that the monthly rent must be 25% more than the monthly mortgage repayment.

Market value is £550.

Applescruffle · 18/05/2024 09:17

Oh just seen you've negotiated £500, I'm happy for you OP, well done :)