Landlords | Mumsnet

lollipoprainbow · 2022-01-09T09:15:46+00:00

Are landlords allowed to charge what they like for properties? Apparently in the south east where I am they are renting properties out to the highest bidders. Is this fair, right, ethical, legal ?! I'm having to find another flat to rent on a limited budget and this makes me sick to the stomach. Are there ombudsman for this?

FindingMeno · 09/01/2022 09:17

No idea, but that is so bloody wrong, and if there aren't rules in place there needs to be.

FindingMeno · 09/01/2022 09:18

They can charge what they like though as there's no rent cap.

Ellmau · 09/01/2022 09:18

Yes they can.

If there are no takers they have t reduce what they are asking for, but if enough people will pay the higher rates, rates remain high across the board.

Sorry, OP.

LordEmsworth · 09/01/2022 09:19

Of course there are no rules, it's an open market.

Haus1234 · 09/01/2022 09:20

No rental price restrictions in England no, and no ombudsman. Sorry OP.

Porcupineintherough · 09/01/2022 09:22

Rules would only help up to the point. The reason that they can do this is that there are lots of people looking for a place to live and not enough properties. Controlling the price would not decrease the number of people chasing the same flat, if anything it would increase it.

sheroku · 09/01/2022 09:24

Where I am the demand for flats is so crazy that there are bidding wars and sometimes landlords are asking for as much as 6 month's rent upfront as a deposit. Often they also want to interview you to decide who they like the best so you have to go and "sell yourself" to them.

We went through all of this and then the landlord decided to sell a year later so turfed us out in the middle of lockdown 1. I bought my first property a couple of months ago and I am so, so grateful to be free of landlords.

VioletPetals · 09/01/2022 09:25

No, landlords like any business selling a service, products or goods can charge whatever they like for their product.

It’s worth whatever people are willing to pay for it.

FindingMeno · 09/01/2022 09:28

@sheroku

Where I am the demand for flats is so crazy that there are bidding wars and sometimes landlords are asking for as much as 6 month's rent upfront as a deposit. Often they also want to interview you to decide who they like the best so you have to go and "sell yourself" to them.

We went through all of this and then the landlord decided to sell a year later so turfed us out in the middle of lockdown 1. I bought my first property a couple of months ago and I am so, so grateful to be free of landlords.

That is shocking. I'm genuinely afraid for what the future holds unless something changes fast.

Original poster

lollipoprainbow · 09/01/2022 09:31

@sheroku I don't stand a chance. So awful it really is. There's going to be so many more homeless.

OP posts:

tropicalsound · 09/01/2022 09:32

A quarter of MPs are landlords so of course there isn't any oversight. Housing should be a human right but it never will be in this country.

Wombat98 · 09/01/2022 09:33

I think, but I might be wrong, there is a cap on deposits. Anyone asking for several months of deposit is at it & best swerved.

Should all be lodged with the tenancy deposit scheme.

tropicalsound · 09/01/2022 09:36

Also OP you might want to look at joining Acorn or another renter's union in your area

jackstini · 09/01/2022 09:41

@sheroku

Where I am the demand for flats is so crazy that there are bidding wars and sometimes landlords are asking for as much as 6 month's rent upfront as a deposit. Often they also want to interview you to decide who they like the best so you have to go and "sell yourself" to them.

We went through all of this and then the landlord decided to sell a year later so turfed us out in the middle of lockdown 1. I bought my first property a couple of months ago and I am so, so grateful to be free of landlords.

That is illegal re the deposit. Maximum is 5 weeks rent Unfortunately it is like any business - supply and demand dictate the price. Exactly the same as with holidays, trainers etc.

Difficult but not illegal

Alaimo · 09/01/2022 09:42

Is it legal? Yes. Is it fair, right, or ethical? No. (And i say that as a landlord)

EsquireFuss · 09/01/2022 14:53

A couple of years ago, my DP and I got our place with six months upfront and a month's rent as deposit. Plus a guarantor. Then again, our credit rating WAS an abomination...

Idontknowlondon · 09/01/2022 15:12

Yes they can.

This isn't going to get any better as the government is putting more and more restrictions on landlords and making it less profitable and harder to manage so lots of landlords are selling up and reducing the number of rentals available which drives up prices.

It's really rubbish for people who don't want to buy.

Iamsodonewith2020 · 09/01/2022 16:04

No there is nothing to stop this, anymore than there are laws to stop people bidding over offer for a house. It’s all about business and money

Original poster

lollipoprainbow · 09/01/2022 16:18

It's really rubbish for people who don't want to buy.

It's a bloody disaster for people who can't afford to buy.

OP posts:

Fairyliz · 09/01/2022 16:18

But even if prices were controlled there would only be the same number of properties available, so it wouldn’t be any easier to find a place if demand outstrips supply.
Or am I missing something?

Rrrob · 09/01/2022 16:21

Yes legal. Not all landlords are that bad (I like to think I am a nice landlord).

sheroku · 09/01/2022 18:37

What makes a nice landlord? I've heard a lot of people say they're a nice landlord and then state what should be the bare minimum (e.g. "I always fix things promptly") as reasons why.

Dazedandconfused10 · 09/01/2022 18:53

If you think your rent is too high you can go to tribunal (even with private rented) so that is an option, but, if the rents locally are similar due to supply and demand I'm not sure you'd have much luck.