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Original poster

To ask what you’d do in this dire situation?

356 replies

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 16:14

Posting for traffic.

I live in SE England. I’m trying to move to a cheaper part of the UK and I’m making plans to do so.

I work FT and have an additional PT job. I’m working around 55-60 hours a week.

No savings, can’t get a decent credit card or even a loan due to previous poor credit (which I’m working to resolve).I’m not entitled to any benefits.
I don’t drive so can’t take on work as for eg Deliveroo or Amazon or otherwise

Family can’t help me with financial support. I also cannot stay with family in the short term due to valid but complicated reasons.

the situation is: it’s going to cost me thousands to move: in terms of arranging a move but also because my current flat is furnished and I’d have to furnish an entire new house. So I need to save for six months or so.

whilst this is all going on, my LL announced he was putting the rent up by £450 a month, effective March. I can’t afford this and will need to move. But I can’t afford to move.

I am wracking my head for solutions here - even moving into a house share and getting rid of most of my belongings but that still wouldn’t work because I’d need a months rent and deposit up front and tbh, house shares and one bed flats aren’t that different in price where I’m looking.

What on earth am I meant to do? I’m seriously panicking

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Bunkbedbunk · 10/12/2024 17:14

This might sound crazy but what about living in a hotel (temporarily)?
Then you're only paying night to night?

No money upfront

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 10/12/2024 17:13

Have you looked on rooms roomstolet.co.uk or spare room.co uk? Probably your best option.

Your landlord sounds like he is trying to force you all out. Greedy bastard!

Boomer55 · 10/12/2024 17:13

Turmerictolly · 10/12/2024 16:35

First of all challenge the rent increase. Contact Shelter for advice. I'm sure there are laws around the amount a landlord can increase the rent.

Working 60 hours a week at minimum wage is around £2800 gross per month, net around £2K after tax, pension etc. How much is your current rent? The landlord might be able to return your deposit promptly if you explain you need it for a new place.

Can you sleep in the lounge and sub let your bedroom to a lodger for a bit to save? Not great but needs must.

Your local council might be able to give you support in finding a cheaper private rental. They often have arrangements with local agencies whereby they cover a minimum deposit.

Overview

+1

In the UK, there are no legal limits on how much a landlord can increase rent for private tenants, unless you're a regulated or protected tenant. However, landlords should generally stick to "fair rent" increases that are in line with current market rates.

Here are some things you can consider when deciding if a rent increase is fair:
Compare to similar properties
Check the rent for similar properties in your area.

Consider inflation
If the cost of your rent is rising in line with inflation, this might be seen as a fair price increase.

Check your tenancy agreement
Your tenancy agreement might have a rent review clause that says how much your rent can go up by.

Consider your affordability
Before accepting a rent increase, it's a good idea to check how much rent you can afford.

If you think a rent increase is too high, you can:

Speak to your landlord to see if you can negotiate a smaller rise.

Discuss any increases in advance with your landlord.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_increases

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:12

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:11

I know this is really vague, I’m trying to remain anonymous as possible (ha). Staying with family is not an option, for very good reasons on their end. Friends would be but literally overnight on a sofa.

Show quote history

What about near Devon but not in it? Like Somerset?

Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:11

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:08

Ah ok that's a shame! Really hard place to get into. If you have family can you not temporarily live with one of them whilst you save and are then in the area to find somewhere to rent?

Show quote history

I know this is really vague, I’m trying to remain anonymous as possible (ha). Staying with family is not an option, for very good reasons on their end. Friends would be but literally overnight on a sofa.

OP posts:
wellthatsmorelikeit · 10/12/2024 17:11

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:08

Entirely genuine. He’s a total shyster. He has behaved appallingly previously.

Show quote history

I believe that but he can’t just raise the rent by that amount.

JHound · 10/12/2024 17:11

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:05

Not for a one bedroom place. They go for about 1050-1150.

Show quote history

In Surrey? I was thinking that sounds fairly cheap tbh. I am not far from there and anything decent I saw was in the £1,400+ bracket. Have you been in the place a long time? Seems like the landlord expects to be able to get a better return hence the steep increase.

It’s disgusting though. The private rental market needs far better regulation and our approach to housing is diabolical. We see it primarily as profit generating assets instead of actually homes for people to live in.

Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:10

housethatbuiltme · 10/12/2024 17:08

You do not need to pay a rent increase, a landlord can not put up rent without either your approval or a court order. You do not have to agree to rent increases, they cannot 'tell' you 'rent goes up effective of' they can only ask (but the usually phrase it as if its mandatory to force compliance).

How much is your rent?

£450 is almost our whole rent so seems and insane increase... one average last year 7% was deemed a fair increase with inflation in rent sector so unless you pay over £6k a month rent than £450 seems wildly unreasonable and won't be supported by a court.

Lets assume you live in London where average rent is said to be £2,121 (eye watering to us northerners lol) then a 7% increase on that is still only £148.47.

A landlord has to be fair and justify reasonably why they are putting prices up.

Show quote history

My rent is £1000. He has claimed he is increasing it due to his increased costs. The flat is old and has needed a fair amount of repairs this year which has increased the costs associated with it. He really has no clue - he regularly has a go at me for things that are none of his business, hence looking to move anyway.

OP posts:
Smithhy · 10/12/2024 17:09

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:05

Not for a one bedroom place. They go for about 1050-1150.

Show quote history

I recommend taking a look at the rental tribunal scheme. Shelter have some good info on it, as does gov.uk and

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/paying-rent/challenging-a-rent-increase/

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:08

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:07

because I have family and other support connections (vague) there

Show quote history

Ah ok that's a shame! Really hard place to get into. If you have family can you not temporarily live with one of them whilst you save and are then in the area to find somewhere to rent?

Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:08

wellthatsmorelikeit · 10/12/2024 17:07

The landlord is behaving illegally. £450 is ridiculous. Is this genuine?

Entirely genuine. He’s a total shyster. He has behaved appallingly previously.

OP posts:
Solent123 · 10/12/2024 17:08

Have a look at property guardian schemes in the area you want to move to.

housethatbuiltme · 10/12/2024 17:08

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 16:14

Posting for traffic.

I live in SE England. I’m trying to move to a cheaper part of the UK and I’m making plans to do so.

I work FT and have an additional PT job. I’m working around 55-60 hours a week.

No savings, can’t get a decent credit card or even a loan due to previous poor credit (which I’m working to resolve).I’m not entitled to any benefits.
I don’t drive so can’t take on work as for eg Deliveroo or Amazon or otherwise

Family can’t help me with financial support. I also cannot stay with family in the short term due to valid but complicated reasons.

the situation is: it’s going to cost me thousands to move: in terms of arranging a move but also because my current flat is furnished and I’d have to furnish an entire new house. So I need to save for six months or so.

whilst this is all going on, my LL announced he was putting the rent up by £450 a month, effective March. I can’t afford this and will need to move. But I can’t afford to move.

I am wracking my head for solutions here - even moving into a house share and getting rid of most of my belongings but that still wouldn’t work because I’d need a months rent and deposit up front and tbh, house shares and one bed flats aren’t that different in price where I’m looking.

What on earth am I meant to do? I’m seriously panicking

You do not need to pay a rent increase, a landlord can not put up rent without either your approval or a court order. You do not have to agree to rent increases, they cannot 'tell' you 'rent goes up effective of' they can only ask (but the usually phrase it as if its mandatory to force compliance).

How much is your rent?

£450 is almost our whole rent so seems and insane increase... one average last year 7% was deemed a fair increase with inflation in rent sector so unless you pay over £6k a month rent than £450 seems wildly unreasonable and won't be supported by a court.

Lets assume you live in London where average rent is said to be £2,121 (eye watering to us northerners lol) then a 7% increase on that is still only £148.47.

A landlord has to be fair and justify reasonably why they are putting prices up.

wellthatsmorelikeit · 10/12/2024 17:07

The landlord is behaving illegally. £450 is ridiculous. Is this genuine?

VodkaCola · 10/12/2024 17:07

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:06

Oh wow Devon is absolutely impossible especially for renting. Why Devon?! I mean it's beautiful but insanely expensive/difficult to find somewhere. If you're looking for beaches etc there's loads of cheap lovely places in Hampshire.

Show quote history

And there are lots of even cheaper seaside places such as Lincolnshire, Humberside, Northumberland etc.

Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:07

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:06

Oh wow Devon is absolutely impossible especially for renting. Why Devon?! I mean it's beautiful but insanely expensive/difficult to find somewhere. If you're looking for beaches etc there's loads of cheap lovely places in Hampshire.

Show quote history

because I have family and other support connections (vague) there

OP posts:
Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:06

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:04

I’m in Surrey and I’m looking to move to the SW - Devon.

Show quote history

Oh wow Devon is absolutely impossible especially for renting. Why Devon?! I mean it's beautiful but insanely expensive/difficult to find somewhere. If you're looking for beaches etc there's loads of cheap lovely places in Hampshire.

AllYearsAround · 10/12/2024 17:05

RandomMess · 10/12/2024 17:01

What happens if someone presents themselves as homeless?

Do councils still operate a loan deposit scheme?

OP can't make herself homeless by voluntarily leaving her flat - she'd need to stay put until the landlord evicted her then present to the council.

JHound · 10/12/2024 17:05

A £450 a month increase???

Jesus H Christ. I was on a forum recently filled with landlords who were complaining that the current and previous government had encouraged “anti-landlord sentiment”.

I think actually behaviour like this is what encourages anti-landlord sentiment.

Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:05

Smithhy · 10/12/2024 17:02

Is £1550pcm in line with similar properties in your local area?

If it’s higher then you could look at going to a rent tribunal instead.

Not for a one bedroom place. They go for about 1050-1150.

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 17:04

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:03

Roughly where abouts are you thinking of moving to? It's not outing because there are literally millions of people in most SE areas 😂 but for example I live in Hampshire and could recommend some really specific examples and even know a few landlords.

Show quote history

I’m in Surrey and I’m looking to move to the SW - Devon.

OP posts:
teenmumstress24 · 10/12/2024 17:04

www.zerodeposit.com/

More info here, OP. Feel free to ignore if not helpful!

Hunjii · 10/12/2024 17:03

ReallyStuck2024 · 10/12/2024 16:56

Just to say thanks to all and I’m noting the suggestions. Sorry if I sound dismissive. I’m distraught and worried and it’s making me fairly pessimistic.

Roughly where abouts are you thinking of moving to? It's not outing because there are literally millions of people in most SE areas 😂 but for example I live in Hampshire and could recommend some really specific examples and even know a few landlords.

teenmumstress24 · 10/12/2024 17:02

Could you look at a place to rent that operates the "zero deposit scheme"? You don't pay a hefty deposit essentially, I think it's some sort of insurance policy instead? Maybe have a look into that, OP. Good luck!

RandomMess · 10/12/2024 17:02

Housesitting really could work for you.