AIBU?
About rent increase
ravenbird34 · 06/07/2017 23:38
I don't think I am but I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I share with flatmates. We've just had a rent increase in the last 8 weeks.
I'm coming up to renew my tenancy for a further 18 months. 2 of my flatmates are moving out at the end of the current tenancy but we've found ones to replace them at the start of this new one. The landlord wants to introduce a rent increase of 5.5% in month 12. I'm fuming. I think that's just exploitative and greedy. I live in London by the way and I have already said that none of us are a) getting a pay rise of that much b) will not be able to afford it.
So aibu?
sleepingdragon · 07/07/2017 00:03
Rents have dropped 4% in London over the past year. This wont be equal accross London, but a quick google might tell you how it had changed in your area. I think your Landlord is trying it on. They will have significant costs (redecorating, advertising, lost rent before new tenants move in) if you decide to move out over this, so if you question the increase they may change their mind
ravenbird34 · 07/07/2017 00:04
indigox can I ask what sector you work in and if you've had pay rises of 7% every year?
I'm genuinely curious as to how you've afforded it. I would be either moving further out and/or moving to cheaper accommodation if that were the case - and if the first two were impossible I'd be on the streets!
HipsterHunter · 07/07/2017 00:39
I lived in my rather lovely flat for 4 years with only a £5/week rent increase in all that time about 18 months in, at a time when the market was defo hotting up and up.
It is WAY more profitable to keep a good set of respectful, on-time paying tenants than have to have a void period and much about with redecoration etc.
ravenbird34 · 07/07/2017 00:42
caretakertonuns do people commonly assume landlords aren't people?! I didn't realise most people didn't. Perhaps you previously used to think they were monkeys in disguise?
I thank you for pointing that out for me but I assure you I am most definitely aware that they are part of the human race, yes.
user1498550798 · 07/07/2017 01:07
YANBU. I rent in London, currently looking for a new place and speaking to lots of agents about the market. They all are very clear that over the last year rents have fallen. So unless the place you are in was massively below market value when you moved in, it is now worth less money, not more.
Even if that wasn't the case, and it very definitely is, a rise annually is not standard. If you are there a very long time then a raise may be requested at some point.
Your landlord may be ignorant or may know but be hoping you will want to avoid the hassle and cost of moving. The fact is that the market is quite slow and he has much more to lose from the property being empty even if just for a couple of weeks. He would also almost certainly have to re let the property at a lower rent than you currently pay. You on the other hand could possibly get a better place for what you currently pay than you did a year ago.
I would be tempted to show great surprise and say that given that rents have fallen you will have to reassess your position. You could suggest he speak to an agent for advice, they will tell him this. There is a danger he might not renew the contract, so if you really don't want to leave be aware of that risk. I would be minded to not accept the rise and leave if he holds out. I know only too well how difficult looking for a rental and moving is in London, but still.
If he agrees to a smaller increase that you could accept, even though you should not have to, because you'd like to stay, make sure you pin a condition on it of any maintenance or improvement you need.
Meowstro · 07/07/2017 01:23
My LL has a freakishly long neck. I suspect she might be a giraffe. 
5.5% seems a lot considering you've just had a rent increase not long ago. Although, my rent increased £175 over a 3 year period (annual increase) at my last place. If he's proposing the increase with the new contract, the options are trying to negotiate, accepting, finding alternative accommodation now or requesting a break clause allowing either side to give notice after at least 6 months which could give you a bit more time but doesn't have to be agreed to.
It is unfair but there isn't a huge amount that can be done. I'd personally prefer good tenants than more money, it's so much less hassle but I'll bet there will be someone along like a bus ready to snap that offer up. Unfortunately most people are having to move further out due to affordability, leaving high earners or what some would call "desirable" people behind, this isn't really a new thing 
ravenbird34 · 07/07/2017 01:30
Hello meowstro yes I think you're right. We've offered a break clause but they've come back and said they'll only offer us a 7 month tenancy in that case. It just doesn't seem worth it. We might as well find somewhere else now which we can definitely do for cheaper so I think we will.
I hope they do have a void gap and they are forced to lower their rents below what we are currently paying when new tenants finally accept. They are being greedy and spiteful and that would be fair comeuppance.
sparechange · 07/07/2017 02:13
There was a story on Radio 4 yesterday that London rents are due to drop by 2% in the next year, so the landlord may well be chancing their arm with such a big increase
It is probably worth doing a bit of house hunting in the meantime to see if you can get something better value
Pemba · 07/07/2017 03:26
No it is not 'standard' to have a rent increase each year, how ever much landlords might wish it were. My LL has just requested a small rise, previously we were paying the same rent for 5 years. At the previous house we were renting, there was one rise after 3 years - which actually prompted us to move here, slightly smaller, but much better value.
It all depends on the local market, of course, but I heard rents were dropping in London? (I am in the Midlands).
mollymcmuffin · 07/07/2017 05:49
YANBU, your landlord is greedy. Last place I rented in London I lived there for 5 years with only minimal rent increase, like £5 a year or something to cover the building's service charge. We were good tenants and she wanted to keep us. When it went back on the market we checked the ad and the rent had gone up by £400 
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