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AIBU?

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Original poster

To consider moving out over £10 a month?

84 replies

Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 10:26

I'm six weeks into my latest 6 month tenancy agreement (been here two years), and the agent has just sent me another renewal for when this one ends Confused

They've put the rent up. By £10 Hmm they increased the rent last renewal which I accepted even though I thought it was a bit off with everyone struggling with covid.

Now they've put it up again, but it's such a paltry amount I'm a bit confused. I have landlord friends, and no one is putting rents up if they've got good tenants, and all agree £10 is a bit pointless to rock the boat so to speak.

I could move, but it would be a pain in the arse I don't need. I no longer need this location like I did when I moved in, and could move slightly further out to a much bigger place for just £40/m more than they're asking for here, but I wouldn't know anyone etc. I couldn't get anywhere (tiny or not) alone for the price I'm paying.

They also struggled to rent this place as it's so tiny - a very limited market. If you've got someone that pays on time and is no trouble why fuck about over £10 Grin

I wrote back yesterday and asked if the figure was correct (could be a typo - not the first time it's happened), but 24hrs later haven't had a reply and now I'm left wondering what to do. Living alone is expensive enough (costs me £800-900 a month in rent and bills) and if they've really put it up by so little it feels a bit like they're trying to squeeze every last penny out of me.

I should add, the "landlord" is a LTD company with over 100 properties, so not a struggling accidental landlord. If they want to sell they could just tell me.

What would you do? And if you're a landlord, would you have done this?

OP posts:
altiara · 08/12/2020 10:30

Say no, then LL has to think about costs of advertising for a new tenant, losing money if the place is empty. It’s not worth £10/month to lose a tenant in my opinion.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 10:39

That was kind of my thinking. £120 a year... They'd probably be charged that in agent fees without any lost months etc. And risk getting an awkward or non paying tenant etc.

I keep thinking it must be a typo, but if it was surely you'd just email straight back and say yes sorry it's x not y!

OP posts:
ripples101 · 08/12/2020 10:50

Did it go up by a bigger amount last time? If so, then I think it may be the case that your rent will go up twice every year. The first by a significant amount, then by a paltry amount at the 6 month stage.

I’d seek clarity from the letting agent regarding this (to put it up once is one thing, but then for it to increase again six months later (even if only by £10) isn’t really on in my opinion.

Xmassprout · 08/12/2020 10:52

Challenge it.

Many years ago I challenged a rent increase, and they didn't put it up

JustAnotherUserinParadise · 08/12/2020 10:54

You can not agree to the increase - then they have the option of keeping the rent as it is, or giving you notice.
As a landlord myself, I have only increased rent once - tenants had been there for about 5 years at this point, and I increased it by £25 a month. The rest of the area was going up and up and I wanted to stay more in line with that (but still below).

JustAnotherUserinParadise · 08/12/2020 10:54

We had another house sit empty for about 3 months after a tenant left it in a bad way and it needed decorating work doing - it cost us about 3k total! So not worth the risk of losing good tenants for £10!

ambereeree · 08/12/2020 11:02

What the percentage increase on your rent? I'm a LL and can't imagine doing this.

bonjonbovi · 08/12/2020 11:12

Why do you keep signing 6 month extensions instead of letting it roll over to a month by month tenancy?

Heyahun · 08/12/2020 11:13

Just call and say you've changed your mind and are not happy with the increase

i've been in my flat 5 years now and i have always refused the increase and they have always said ok

Worth asking anyway - or if they won't budge - try and meet them half way and offer £5 more a month

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 11:43

@ambereeree

What the percentage increase on your rent? I'm a LL and can't imagine doing this.
It started at £525, went up to £550 and now asking for £560. So although it is in line with the rough 3-5% a year I found in Google (no increases in 18months before that), I don't see why, if they wanted £560 all along just do it in the first place instead of creeping it up by petty amounts.
OP posts:
LouLou789 · 08/12/2020 11:44

Say no. My DS got his £520 rent reduced to £425 in July for 6 months and £475 from Jan for another 6 months, with the agreement it will go back to the original £520 from next July. They’ve been glad to have a reliable tenant and not to have the property empty while so few students were in the city.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 11:46

@bonjonbovi

Why do you keep signing 6 month extensions instead of letting it roll over to a month by month tenancy?
My limited understanding of tenancies is 30 days gives you less notice if they want you out (pre covid). I don't like the place enough to commit to a year but wanted as much security as possible. I may be wrong with my interpretation but I thought it was two months notice Vs one month on rolling.

I am now considering just letting it go over to rolling (although the agent sneakily never suggests this is an option when asking if I want to renew), but I don't like the thought of only having a month to find somewhere else and move, or the stress of "playing the system" with letting them go through the whole eviction process.

OP posts:
user1493413286 · 08/12/2020 11:49

My landlord did this and I asked them to reconsider as the increased amount wasn’t representative of what other places in the area were renting for and I suspected they were just trying their luck and wouldn’t want the extra costs of me moving out and having to advertise and rent it again. I was right and they agreed not to increase it.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 11:50

@LouLou789

Say no. My DS got his £520 rent reduced to £425 in July for 6 months and £475 from Jan for another 6 months, with the agreement it will go back to the original £520 from next July. They’ve been glad to have a reliable tenant and not to have the property empty while so few students were in the city.
Wow! I never even considered asking for a reduction Grin I've managed to keep paying in full despite work being a bit up and down due to covid.

I'm very much a keep your head down and don't cause trouble when it comes to landlords. I had one years ago and the washing machine kept breaking. On the fourth time he said it would be two weeks before the repair man came out. I asked if I could keep receipts for the launderette and he lost his shit and gave me notice there and then via text Shock my flatmate had to call him and smooth things over, and the landlord told him that I should be more respectful and call him Sir as he was a landLORD Grin derailing my own thread but it does make you realise you're in a precarious position as a tenant.

OP posts:
MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 08/12/2020 11:51

I'd move if I had the means. I don't like pettiness especially when it's someone's home.

GRAK · 08/12/2020 11:54

You definitely need to question it at the very least. Like you said, you're a good tenant, who pays on time. Why ask for more?

notquitealonealone · 08/12/2020 11:55

You've been there only 2 years and they've increased it during that time from £525 to £550, and now want £560? Thats taking the P surely?

Just say you don't agree with the increase, that you can't afford it. I doubt very much they will serve you notice for the sake of £10 if you're a good tenant. But obviously thats the risk. However, you say you're coming to the end of another 6 months contract? Which means at the end of that they only have to give you 2 months notice if they don't renew it for you.
Just like if it rolled onto a periodic tenancy, they'd have to give you 2 months, you just have to give them 1 month though instead of being tied into giving whatevers left on your 6 month agreement. Also if it rolls over to a periodic, you shouldn't be being charged any additional admin or contract fees (although I think these were stopped a few years ago?)

notquitealonealone · 08/12/2020 11:55

And just to add, I'm like you. I'd probably be looking to move based purely on the pettiness of it.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 11:56

I've just heard from the agent.

Yes the landlord has requested the increase, so not a typi Hmm "It is a modest increase, we believe, and the rental is extremely reasonable for the area."

I've got until mid march to give my answer so might just let them stew and see what comes up on the market in the new year.

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 08/12/2020 11:56

Not sure whether you're in England/Wales, Scotland or elsewhere which might make a difference.

If it's England/Wales, the LL can't get you out before six months. Re the increase, it's probably more that the managing agents have e-mailed and asked him/her if they'd like to renew (though I agree that 6 weeks in is a bit premature!) and suggesting an RPI increase and the landlord has just gone along with that rather than actively seeking the extra.

Rent is negotiable and like everything else, it's all about supply and demand. If the other similar properties in the area aren't going out like hot cakes, just say that you don't think it's appropriate to suggest an increase and you aren't interested in a new tenancy after 6 months at the higher rate.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 11:58

@notquitealonealone no I'm only 6 weeks into this contract! They've never sent a renewal this early. The increase wouldn't happen til April Confused

OP posts:
BlackCatShadow · 08/12/2020 12:03

That's really crap of them. I'd definitely consider my options, if I were you.

HollowTalk · 08/12/2020 12:05

But the landlord would only get a fraction of that due to taxes - it seems incredibly petty.

Zilla1 · 08/12/2020 12:07

Propose reduction OP with brief description of the costs they'll incur that won't fall to you. Good luck.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 08/12/2020 12:09

@HollowTalk

But the landlord would only get a fraction of that due to taxes - it seems incredibly petty.
I know. The only thing I can think is that across the 100+ properties they have, some people have taken rent holidays or stopped paying altogether, so they're trying to claw back the income by giving a small increase to everyone else.

They really would (and did) struggle to rent this place again quickly. It's unbelievably tiny, I have a bed and chest of drawers and a wardrobe (studio). No room for a sofa or TV or anything else. It's like those tiny crash pads you find in London for commuters, but not in London and not the right market location wise Grin

OP posts: