How much notice to give before increasing rent?

[ellaria]

Not for me, but a friend. I think it's called a rolling tenancy as a new tenancy agreement hasn't been issued for years.

The LL intends to increase the rent from this month (due mid to end of the month)

Whenever the tenant agrees.

I hadn't finished typing there! They've been tenants for nearly 20 years and think the house is tired and in disrepair as lots of minor repairs have been ignored including broken glass panes and a fire in the main room disconnected for years. Etc etc

Ok it's a month but what's the situation?

Eh?

She doesn't agree because of lack of repairs and the short notice, but apparently it's going ahead anyway. I said I'd find out as I've asked about this sort of thing here before.

I'd tell them to sort it themselves @ellaria. MN wont be accurate

Ok.

What's the issue?

Repairs outstanding don't mean rent doesn't get paid.

I would ask your "friend" if they went to play hard ball with the rent - if so I can make sure their compliance is up to scratch.

Is there a better property nearby?

Is the rent reasonabl?!

Can't agree due to lack of repairs.

Ask your friend to tell the landlord she will agree to a rent increase for a fixed tenancy (if that's what they want).

Or just say no.

Or agree to a fair rent increase but will have to be a months notice.

The rent is up to date, but the increase (a couple of weeks notice) when the house is in disrepair.

Is the rent reasonabl?

Around 30% increase I think

I don't think that sounds accurate.

This is the problem when LLs don't increase rents for years; it becomes unaffordable for the tenant to pay market rent in the area. It can be a bit below market rent if she's good but usually one month if rent is paid monthly.

@ellaria no it is. Your landlord can ask you to pay more rent, you have to agree to it,..,,,

That's the tenant having an unrealistic expectation of their means for the area.

Thank you @Delectable
Yes I think that seems to be the case here. I think the repairs issue is possibly a side issue needing to be addressed. Yes, monthly or four weekly.

@aibuaibuaibu I mentioned a rolling tenancy so I don't think that's correct. And I am asking for a friend so I don't appreciate the quotation marks. I've asked about landlord issues (in the press) before, and received excellent advice and was able to report it. Hence I'm back to ask again.

@ellaria not sure what you are quoting me in.

As it's a rolling tenancy there is no contractual terms.

The tenant doesn't have to agree to a rent increase, they also could be given notice to vacate.

If the tenant wants to stay at the house they can negotiate. Eg

1. I want a 12 month fixed term with no rent increases for 12 months and CPI thereafter
2. I will increase the rent in two months but it's on the condition you complete X repairs

It's all a fucking negotiation

@ellaria is the rent reasonable for the area? Can the tenant get better houses with the same rent? Is the EPC decent?

I'm a LL and always give 2 month's notice of rent increase at end of each 1 year fixed conyract. If tenant does not agree they then have 2 month's to find alternative accommodation. Have your friends reported problems in writing to LL?

Is the new rent similar to other rentals in the area?

There are contractual terms on a rolling (periodic) tenancy, an AST has implied terms.

www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases

You might find this helpful.

I really don't know how it compares locally. I will ask. I think for the condition of the house, and the repairs needed, it isn't considered a fair valuation.

I don't know if they have been reported in writing by the tenant but the LL is definitely aware of the house condition.

I not entirely sure. I will check but I suspect not due to the disrepair being part of the issue.

Thanks