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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed with my landlord?

46 replies

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 08:27

We had to apply for housing benefit last month. I lost my job in July (been working from home part-time) and since I am 7m pg it is basically impossible to find anything else right now. We also have one DD already. DH is self-employed and even after increasing his hours we just couldn't make it work so we applied.

We had to get landlord involved, the council required a letter from him to confirm our rent etc.

This morning, he has posted a letter through the letterbox increasing our rent!!! I spoke to him and explained why we were applying for the benefit, how I lost my job, he can clearly see we have another baby on the way...

I don't know, I understand this is business for him but he owns 10 flats in this building, why did he have to increase our rent? It's gone up by £25 per month...not loads to some people but for me at the moment that is a lot for me.

I could cry right now...

To top it off my midwife yesterday said that I may go into labour anytime (DD was a premie) as baby has dropped really low and is head down. Been told to watch out for signs of labour and I just feel awful right now.

Wish I could afford to buy a house and feel secure, feel at the mercy of others when renting.

OP posts:

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 09:25

Britta, true. The HB we get does not cover our rent, not even close. It is a help towards the rent so my DH still have work hard to make the difference PLUS everything else we need to live on.

This is far from an ideal situation, not one I want to be in and certainly hope can get out of.

Just feel that the LL is being a tiny bit unfair and if he really does know the 'system' then maybe taking a tiny bit of an advantage.

OP posts:

Purple2012 · 19/09/2012 09:31

Yabu. £25 increase in 4 years is not excessive. He is running a business, it's how he pays his bills. He shouldn't have to have less rent because you are struggling. Find out if everyone's has gone up. If it has then just accept it's bad timing for you.

GoldShip · 19/09/2012 09:37

I sympathise because he's obviously taking advantage of the fact you're claiming housing benefit.

Tweasels · 19/09/2012 09:40

OP. Don't listen to the anti benefits posters. They don't seem to "get it". I am unsure as to who would rather lose the roof over theirs and their DC's heads than claim HB. There is a difference between people who choose a life on benefits and people claiming benefits in the short term whilst circumstances are difficult. And there's a minority on here who are too stupid to tell the difference.

It may be that your landlord was increasing rent in all of the flats as a matter of course and it is really bad timing.

I hope this isn't the case but if it is just your rent that has been increased, maybe he thinks HB will cover the full amount so he might as well add another £25 on for good measure. If this is what's happened you need to try and explain that the extra £25 comes out of your pocket.

suburbandweller · 19/09/2012 10:03

Have you checked OP that the Landlord is entitled to increase your rent under your tenancy agreement? It will usually specify this can only be done at certain times so if he hasn't acted in accordance with what the tenancy agreement says you don't have to pay the extra. If there is no provision for rent review then he has no right at all to demand a rent increase until the tenancy period is up.

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 10:13

I have checked the tenency agreement and as he is giving us a months notice he is allowed to do this. I called HB and they said I need to send the letter to them and they will then get back to us, so not sure if HB will change at all. He said they can't say until it is assessed. Fair enough.

Still waiting to tell DH, he is asleep after coming in at 4am from work...

My LL does not know how much we get or if we even get HB as we were only applying at the time I spoke to him...and I asked the council to deal with us, not him. I am overthinking maybe but the timing is just too convenient!

OP posts:

Purple2012 · 19/09/2012 10:19

If he didn't know you were applying for HB how could he be putting it up because of that?

It just seems like bad timing. Don't take it out on him. Your financial situation is nothing to do with him.

TheBigJessie · 19/09/2012 10:24

LL knows they were applying. He doesn't know whether the application was successful.

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 10:25

No, he knew we were applying because he had to fill in a form but he has no idea if we were actually awarded anything because I haven't spoken to him about it. We are dealing with the council ourselves, he has no involvement.

OP posts:

SkinnyMarinkADink · 19/09/2012 10:27

op with your current money situation being so tight i would really advise sorting out your maternity pay, you can be paid it from 28 weeks and it doesn't effect any benefits.

Hopeforever · 19/09/2012 10:29

Glad you have made some progress.

How about going to CAB and asking them to help you find the options you have for help. As you have a heart problem can you see your GP to give you a letter that would help you get the benefits you need.

Don't listen to those who say you shouldn't get help. If you have been working you have paid the government money so that they can help you in times of need. You are in times of need.

Sorry if I sounded harsh, I think I could have phrased my posts better. I was just trying help you see it is very unlikely to be personally about you as far as the LL is concerned.

Take care

MyLastDuchess · 19/09/2012 10:31

Are there no laws where you are about what percentage rent increase is allowed and how much notice they have to give you? Just wondering because here in NL (and I appreciate that it's a different country) rent increases and their timing are governed by law.

Landlords have a right to make a living like everyone else and if he's within the law then you need to accept that. But it's never unreasonable to feel a bit hard done by when you are pregnant, stressed and worried and have some additional health issues. If that's how you feel, then that's how you feel. Just don't take it out on the LL (in person I mean!) if he is behaving according to the law. I hope things get better for you soon.

Netguru · 19/09/2012 10:37

It's a bad time for you but you are directing your frustration at the wrong place.

Those of us who own houses don't get to cry foul if the interest rate goes up through a fixed deal ending or a base rate shift. Nor do we get to claim help if on a low income like people renting do.

I rent out two properties. Not because I want to but I got stuck with them when the market crashed and only way I could afford mortgage payments was to rent them out. The landlord's insurance policy I have precludes benefit claimants and one which covers them was an extra £400 a year.

Your landlord seems decent. Not all landlords are greedy or grasping - some do it as a legitimate living and if he lives in your block he's hardly some absentee millionaire landlord is he?

If you are only claiming HB now the exact right time to put the rent up is now as once it is granted under the new rules it is fixed for 12 months. If he had waited three months before doing it you would have had to pay it yourself for the remainder of the year - even if you were entitled to that amount.

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 10:37

Thank you for your kind words.

I just have to accept this now and get on with it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 10:42

Netguru - My LL is a decent person, as I have said before.

But he is pretty well off, he built and owns the whole block where we live, he has the penthouse :)

But like I said, nothing I can do about it really. Just have a strong feeling of insecurity especially with another baby on the way.

OP posts:

Netguru · 19/09/2012 10:51

I think it is hormone driven to find a secure and happy home to bring a new baby into. I understand absolutely - and I am sure that all of us who have been there do too.

I suppose my reason for posting was less to defend your landlord and more to help you feel a bit better about it - and not take it personally.

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 11:24

Thanks. :)

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BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 19/09/2012 11:27

YABU - you say yourself your LL is a nice man who always deals with stuff quickly. TBH and speaking as a LL, you have got off very lightly if you havent had a rental increase in 4 years.....so for it to only go up £25 is good.

Your LL's financial situation is nothing to do with you/your rental. So he has the penthouse!! He is a business man and good luck to him, he isnt a charity!

suburbandweller · 19/09/2012 11:39

You might find that your LL is willing to honour your previous rent (even if only temporarily) if you explain to him your current financial situation and ask him to do so. If he's decent and approachable it's worth a shot - what do you have to lose?

SugarPasteMonkey · 19/09/2012 12:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Florabeebaby · 19/09/2012 14:21

I spoke to DH and we have decided to just arrange to pay and not mention it to him at all.

At the end of the day, we are getting help, we will ask HB if they can cover some of it or not but like I have said, he is nice, the flat is nice and we want to carry on living a quiet, peaceful existence. DH told me to not even think about it anymore, just focus on keeping baby inside!

So there, maybe was a bit hormonal in the morning...just needed my levelheaded DH. But you guys (well, most of you!!) have been ace. Perfect place to vent frustrations...Thanks.

OP posts:

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