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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Rent increase

7 replies

OurMiracle1106 · 04/03/2018 14:46

I received a rent increase a couple of weeks ago for 20% which I thought was quite a large amount. I live in a shared flat and as previously we had all got rent increase at the same time (and for the same amount) I assumed the others would have for there’s too or would in the next day or 2. Fast forward nearly 3 weeks and they haven’t got a rent increase.

AIBU to appeal my rent increase? When I first asked I was told it was because my room was largest- which isn’t the case 3 out of the 4 rooms are roughly the same size. But one has sole use of a balcony and the other has an ensuite where as I only have shared access to a balcony (so am at a disadvantage)

I was then told it was because council Tax water bill and gas/electric has risen.
My issue with this is
1- gas and electric has always been an allowance of x amount per month. This hasn’t been increased
2- having checked water in our area costs have actually decreased
3- although council tax has risen this is by around £70 per calendar year.
4- if it’s costs surely it should be split equally?

I have a feeling it’s as I notified the local council of there being no hmo and not living up to requirements or because I am the only one who is always on time with rent/in front with my rent so they have “assumed” I can afford it.

Aibu to appeal it and feel “targeted”

OP posts:
ChelleDawg2020 · 04/03/2018 15:21

It depends on the setup but the landlord can pretty much do what they like. Unfortunately when tenants stick up for their rights, such as contacting the council, it marks them out as a troublemaker. Landlords don't want troublemakers, they want reliable people who shut up and pay their rent.

I suspect your landlord sees there being two outcomes in your case: either you leave, or you pay more rent. Either way the landlord wins. (They usually do.)

By all means appeal the increase, but my advice would be to start looking for somewhere else to live while you do it.

Tippz · 04/03/2018 15:27

This does seem unfair if you are in a house share.

This happened to someone I know when she was in a student house share 2 years ago, (she had her rent go up 15% when theirs went up 5%, coz she had the biggest room,) and she appealed it with the property agent. (And won!)

Thing is, when they all first moved in, she had the biggest room then, and they were all paying equally for the first year!

Report it to the property agent. If you are just with a landlord only. Tell him/her you are not happy about this, and it's unfair.

Sorry, but the poster in post 2 is wrong when they say 'landlords can pretty much do what they like.' No they can't!

Tippz · 04/03/2018 15:28

Landlords have to adhere to the law like we all do. They cannot 'do what they like.'

Nightfall1 · 04/03/2018 15:52

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

You should read this.

OurMiracle1106 · 04/03/2018 16:22

I don’t feel like I’m a trouble maker when we have no fire extinguishers fire alarms don’t work properly. No fire lighting. No carbon monoxide detector faulty electrics and leaking roofs. I’ve been trying since July to get it fixed.

OP posts:
CheekyRedhead · 04/03/2018 16:34

move out. it doesn't sound safe and it's unlikely you will ever get repairs done. cut your losses and go

OurMiracle1106 · 04/03/2018 16:52

I can’t afford to move out. We were housed by a charity as was homeless so have no rent in advance or deposit

OP posts:
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