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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what landlords plans are long term...

127 replies

Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 14:04

Bit of background, we’ve lived in our current rental property for over 6 years. Our landlady is lovely and has improved the property by putting in a new bathroom (4 years ago) and also is up to date on checks. She rarely bothers us for an inspection - maybe once a year or so and always gives notice if she needs to pop in for whatever reason.

A few weeks ago we had a letter about a rent increase. There wasn’t really an update given as to why other than she hadn’t given us one yet and she felt it was fair. Which I guess is fair, although we couldn’t contest it either way.

In the property we have made a lot of upgrades to decor (I know, fancy wanting to make it a home) and have done a lot of minor repairs (fixing a broken pipe, resetting fence posts, fixing small leaks) everything we’ve done has improved the property and subsequent value if she wanted to sell. We have done all of this with her permission, and she’s never offered to pay/pary pay.

I feel a bit sad that she’s decided to up the rent, it’s going to push us into the bracket of coasting week to week with no luxuries to having to cut other areas such as food etc. We already work all the hours we can due to having a Sen child.

So anyway enough of life story, would it be unreasonable to ask her what her plans our for the house? I know she’s well within her rights to not tell us, but equally we don’t want to pay out of our own pocket to improve a house that is going to be sold within a year. (I know that it can happen regardless)

I know we are lucky to have a roof over our heads, I know we are lucky to have a well maintained home to live in, I know we shouldn’t have probably done those repairs, but I fear if we start bugging her for every small repair now she will want to sell up Confused and as a tenant that’s probably your worst fear come true.

What should we say? We have a meeting in a few weeks.

OP posts:
MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 14:07

That was a long time with no rent increase. After that long I would expect an increase as long as it’s in line with market value.

Why do you say you can’t contest it though?! Of course you can.

EwItsAHooman · 21/10/2018 14:09

If the relationship has been good up until now then explain at the meeting that the increase will make things tight and ask if there's any room for compromise (e.g., a lower increase). Or you could ask, in light of the increase, could she offer a longer term tenancy agreement.

MrTrebus · 21/10/2018 14:12

Base rate has gone up recently maybe she has a mortgage on your house or her own home and the rate has just gone up? Would make sense why she then needs to up your rent. Doesn't mean she plans to sell. YWNBU to ask. Any chance you could buy it off her at a reduced sum (since it would be easier for her and no estate agents fees or any hassle) if she did say she is going to sell at some point?

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/10/2018 14:12

What % is the increase? Will it be in line with similar properties locally?

She seems to have followed the guidelines...

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

Angrybird345 · 21/10/2018 14:15

Six years without an increase is lucky. How much gas the rent gone up by? If a little, tough. If a lot, don’t pay fir remedial work if it is her responsibility.

wafflyversatile · 21/10/2018 14:17

I think if you have a good relationship you should talk to her about what you've said here. Maybe offer her a little more money than you are paying now that still leaves you with some left over.

Nellyelora · 21/10/2018 14:20

I think you're reading too much into this. 6 years is a long time without an increase, your property is probably one of the cheapest to rent in the area now (our rent has only increased by £25 in 3 years and ours is now cheaper than what we can rent elsewhere). She probably just wants more money.

Approach her if you want but she doesn't have to tell you what her plans are and I don't see what benefit you'll really gain by asking.

Original poster
Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 14:21

It will go from £675, to £725, small 3 bed house in the rural South West. We would struggle to ever save enough to buy it, and wouldn’t be able to get a mortgage on this house - although would probably be paying less in outgoings if we could. We are not entitled to social housing or are we entitled to any benefits aside from child benefit. We are in the process of filling some forms for DLA but I don’t even know if we will be able to get that? If we can it would be swallowed up with this rise.

OP posts:
MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 14:22

So an extra hundred pounds a month would put you in dire straights?

NorthernSpirit · 21/10/2018 14:23

Landlords works normally put a rent increase through once a year.

You’ve done well that the rent hasn’t increased in 6 years.

In those 6 years there’s been 2 base rate rises and insurance goes up every year.

I would bet your rent has fallen behind market rates.

Maelstrop · 21/10/2018 14:23

6 years with no increase is really good. Yabu to carry put repairs at your own expense. Stop doing that, it’s her responsibility. You can contest the increase but equally, she can make you leave.

I suggest you speak to her but I doubt she’s done this to be a greedy ll. As mentioned, baserate has risen and reasonable deals for buy to let mortgages are woefully few and far between.

Maelstrop · 21/10/2018 14:26

Landlords works normally put a rent increase through once a year.

Massive generalisation. We haven’t raised the rent for two years, nor do we intend to. If we need to increase our mortgage, I’m afraid we would, tho.

Original poster
Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 14:27

I completely appreciate we’ve been very lucky, I’ve heard some horror stories about horrendous landlords and we’ve been very lucky to not have had a rise until now.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 21/10/2018 14:27

It's an extra 50 a month and the only rise in the last 6 years ?

That is perfectly reasonable. I expect she knows you are good tenants and has held off for as long as she can

The costs for landlords are increasing year on year ( do a little bit of reading, you will find it sure enough). What did you expect really....rent to stay static forever ?

MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 14:29

OP, is £725 reasonable if you compare with similar properties for rent in your area?

Forget all the decorations/minor repairs done. That was your choice and doesn’t affect he landlady’s expenses on the mortgage. I say this as a renter. I’d be surprised if you haven’t fallen fairly well below market Rates.

MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 14:30

Also, my maths is terrible- if an extra fifty pounds a month would leave you cutting into your food budget then that’s a bigger issue.

Jeippinghmip · 21/10/2018 14:31

I honestly think you are very lucky with your landlord. I don’t think the rent increase, after six years, is at all unreasonable. There’s no point in asking her plans, her circumstances can change at any time and so there’s little point in even asking.

Cr0c0dile20 · 21/10/2018 14:32

You can ask, but the landlords circumstances can change at any time and so can your family's. You are very fortunate that your rent has not increased each year. Repairs to a rented property are not your responsibility, contact the landlord and they can decide if they wish to do them

jimmyhill · 21/10/2018 14:33

That's a 7% increase after six years of no hikes, so less than 1% for each year you've been there.

Never ever ever ever ever put your own money into improvements on rented property if you expect to get any credit or thanks for it

Original poster
Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 14:37

Yep lesson learned there. We won’t really be able to now either sadly.

OP posts:
NotANotMan · 21/10/2018 14:40

Don't rock the boat. You need to absorb the rent increase I'm afraid, £50pcm is not unreasonable. Just don't spend any more money on it.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/10/2018 14:46

However 'small leaks' are probably the kinds of things you should be seeing to, known as acting in a tenant like manner - is used to cover the every day stuff like timely reporting of issues and doing the odd little job, mainly those that take time not money!

As for the decorating, that is entirely up to you, with the LLs agreement. I hate to say it here, but nothing you have done sounds like it would be over and above what any good tenant with a good landlord would do. If your list is pretty much what you have done then you won't have added any value to the property, you can't 'upgrade decor', not even if you use gold leaf, as that costs a fortune to replace/repair! You can only change it to better suit yourself!

MrsGollach · 21/10/2018 14:51

She sounds like a reasonable landlady (who realises that good tenants are worth their weight). She may not have increased rent before because you have done maintenance etc on the house.

I'd discuss the issues with her and see if you can come to a compromise as far as the rent increase. Nothing ventured and all that stuff.

dreamingofsun · 21/10/2018 14:53

i would have no problem if my tenant asked about our plans for the property, especially if they are a good tenant. I appreciate that people like a bit of stability and the ability to plan for their future. I'm thinking you probably are a good tenant and thats why she hasnt increased the rent - thats what we do, though after several years we would do as she has to keep it broadly in line with market rates...or slightly under.

reference maintenance - as long as you arent being unreasonable she should be fine.......we tend to refuse anything that is over and above what we have....eg if you have 2 locks on the door we arent going to agree to a request for a third

MrsStrowman · 21/10/2018 14:54

Only £50 a month increase in six years, is very very fortunate.