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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu to be annoyed letting agent dropped rent by £50

382 replies

toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 10:34

I have just found out my letting agent has dropped the rental for the property I rent by £50. This rental income represents over half my income, and I can't really afford a drop. He had chatted with me about rental but we didn't agree to drop it. He had said we may have to, but then rents had increased since our last tenant came in, so the drop due to the covid situation may even it out to the current rent level, and that he already had three households interested before it was even advertised. So given that, and being as we never agreed a decrease, I wasn't expecting it to be dropped. There are now several tenants who all want to rent it and he has asked me to choose this weekend. I am therefore surprised therefore after checking his website to see he has advertised it as lower than the previous rent.

AIBU to be annoyed about this? I don't suppose there is anything I can do about it now. That is £600 a year that I will be poorer off and I am already on a low income with two kids to support.

OP posts:
Juanmorebeer · 30/05/2020 11:04

OP where is the house? Rents have decreased a lot where I live recently. It needed to happen but there are 3 empty rentals on my road which would have usually been snapped up. All of them have had the asking rent lowered one has twice and it is still empty.

DomDoesWotHeWants · 30/05/2020 11:05

Landlord haters are almost a numerous here as step mother haters.

You are doing nothing wrong in asking the going rate for rental in the area. Covid 19 isn't your fault FFS. If you need the income the agent just has to relist.

No wonder 3 people are chasing it if it's below market rate.

Original poster
toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 11:05

@Seventybillionnamechanges I've already answered your questions in this thread.

@Destroyedpeople Honestly, the comparison comes in the fact that businesses make money off what they sell. That is not exploitative.

Makes it difficult for low earners to save and thus get on the market themselves. love the fact that you are simultaneously anti-capitalist and pro-property ownershop...

OP posts:
AllsortsofAwkward · 30/05/2020 11:06

What would you do op if the house was sat empty for months. If you can't lose a 50pound drop I cant see how you should be a landlord especially if you say moneys right already and its you're main income. Do you have a job?

Shamoo · 30/05/2020 11:06

Oh ignore all of the landlord haters. Mumsnet is ridiculous for it. Of course YANBU to be annoyed that he offered it at a rent you didn’t agree. And you should tell him so! At this stage though your only real options are to accept it or to go back to the three who have offered and ask for the additional.

Seventybillionnamechanges · 30/05/2020 11:07

Saying that on a practical note - why not discuss this with the agent and see if you can reduce their fee

Original poster
toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 11:09

@AllsortsofAwkward Yes, I do have a job, it makes up the other half of my income. I'm not that worried about the property being empty for long periods - its a popular property type in a popular area.

OP posts:
yourestandingonmyneck · 30/05/2020 11:09

How much of a cut does the agent take? I'd be expecting them to cover part of this since it was their mistake.

Thirtyysomething · 30/05/2020 11:10

We agreed to rent somewhere and then the agents said that the landlords wanted an additional £25 per month, we paid it. Might be an option to ask.

Heroicasymphony · 30/05/2020 11:11

You really haven't done your sums meticulously if you think you can afford to do this without allowing for £600 wiggle room over the course of a year. And actually yes most people would be able to absorb a £50 drop monthly income.

IntermittentParps · 30/05/2020 11:11

God, what arseholes some of you are. People do love to put the boot into landlords on here, don't they?

OP, get a new letting agent. Tell him you won't have one who won't or can't follow clients' wishes.

Qgardens · 30/05/2020 11:11

It's the agents problem. Not yours. Pass it over to him to sort it at the price it should be.

yourestandingonmyneck · 30/05/2020 11:11

omg at all the landlord haters 😂

couchparsnip · 30/05/2020 11:11

i would switch agents. If it's already £100 a month less than similar properties then a good agent should be able to get the market price for you.

Original poster
toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 11:12

@Thirtysomething Did that change you attitude to the landlord though?
I am worried that if I go back and ask for the previous price, they may agree to pay but then not take so much care of the property if they are a bit pissed off?

OP posts:
Seventybillionnamechanges · 30/05/2020 11:13

@Shamoo while there are some ridiculous comments - there is merit in people saying that someone who is worried about a £50 a month drop and “finding how to save £50 a month from other bills” is in a very precarious position indeed.

A property near me was let two years ago at around £2500 a month. It’s now on at £1800- and has been void for over 6 months. It’s not just the loss of rent - you have to pay council tax, utilities etc while it’s empty.

Sparklfairy · 30/05/2020 11:13

Boo hoo, sorry you're getting a bit less free money.

You're quite welcome to get off your arse, take on a huge loan and risk non-paying tenants, repairs, agent fees, all the red tape... all for some 'free money' Hmm

I pay 25% more in rent for a tiny studio that my DM pays on her mortgage for a huge 3 bedroom house. I don't for a second believe that all of that is profit. Letting houses is a lot of work, it's by no means a case of sitting back and let the money from the working class roll in.

HermanHermit · 30/05/2020 11:16

The weird thing is that you do t seem to understand that the agent acts for you. If they’re not following your instructions, move to one that does.

Original poster
toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 11:16

@Heroicasymphony

You are confusing my business budget with my personal budget.

I'm not going to bother trying to educate you about life on a low income.

OP posts:
SummerDayWinterEvenings · 30/05/2020 11:16

Just email him and say you didn't agree any drop and can he please correct the rent and let the people know that it is x per month. Say you can't afford a drop of £600 a year especially as you didn't agree. Hold firm, here with the agent. Polite but courteous.

Dear X

Having looked at the listing I think there has been a possible miscommunication here. I know we discussed a possible drop, but we didn't discuss amounts or confirm this and I had decided not to when I reflected on it. I think it is a more than fair rental price as it is is. I assumed this was the case with you too, as we didn't discuss it further. However, I see you have dropped it by £50 on the site which is a drop of £600 a year for me in terms of income. As we have several interested parties and in line with my earlier decision -could you please change the rental amount back to original and make any interested parties know they was a mistake in the advertising and it is £x per month. Any problems please give me a ring.Have a nice weekend.

Thanks

Ms Y

Not agressive just assertive.

thedancingbear · 30/05/2020 11:17

i think people are being hard on the OP.

let's face it, there are very many people who, if they could, would love to make a living out of exploiting others whilst not really contributing anything to society through hard work, intellect, etc.

Personally, I'd sooner remove my eyes with a spoon, but it's not for me to judge others' choices.

mencken · 30/05/2020 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
toohoottoday · 30/05/2020 11:17

The weird thing is that you do t seem to understand that the agent acts for you. If they’re not following your instructions, move to one that does

Problem is this landlord specialises in the area my property is in. Anyone interested in renting in that area would go to him first.

OP posts:
Heroicasymphony · 30/05/2020 11:18

Well if your personal budget is irrelevant you have nothing to worry about. Confused

thedancingbear · 30/05/2020 11:18

Let's face it, in the situation the OP is describing, if the boiler breaks, the tenant is going to have to manage without hot water for good while.