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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sudden huge rent increase

106 replies

livyaz · 06/02/2022 08:40

Hi, we have rented out home for almost 2 years now, all fine and very average for area we are in (far north).
Yesterday I got a text out of the blue from the house owner, saying that he was fed up with the letting agents fees and was terminating the contract he has with them.
He also said that he plans to increase the rent from £900 pcm to £1250pcm as "everything is going up in cost"
What on earth do we do??
We have never had an issue with anything, had a couple of leaks over the last 2 years, and a valve on a radiator replaced.
During house inspections the letting agent commented that it was the best kept rented property they had seen, I can't understand how such a hike can be justified, any advice how to respond?

OP posts:
FranklyMyBeer · 06/02/2022 08:44

What does it say I your contract?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 06/02/2022 08:45

What does the contract say?

I don't think there's much you can do if he gives adequate notice as per the law.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 06/02/2022 08:46

You can challenge a rent increase (that is a very large jump).

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/challenging-a-rent-increase/

But I don't know if I would have the patience and energy to be honest. Can you look locally and see what else is available for around £1300? E.g. if it's larger 3 beds then you (and others) would be more likely to want more space for the money. Maybe offer to meet him in the middle.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 06/02/2022 08:48

Do you pay for energy separately? If it's included in your rent I could see why your LL would want to increase your rent but that's quite steep.
Check your tenancy agreement but it might be time to start making plans to move.

shivawn · 06/02/2022 08:48

Oh no, that's almost a 40% increase. Must be such a shock for you to get a message like that out of the blue. Has he given you a few months warning? I don't know what the rules are in the UK but here in Ireland rent hikes are capped at a certain percentage per year...is there any rules like that over there?

Totalwasteofpaper · 06/02/2022 08:48

This happened to me about 10 years ago.
We counter offered and they declined - so I found another rental and moved. When we moved out the flat was still not let so the cost of the void in rental was greater than the £ increase they were after for the year term.

Unless there is rent control in place (as in Ireland) then it is what it is you accept the new contract terms or move.

Chakraleaf · 06/02/2022 08:49

I thought they could only do a certain percentage?

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 06/02/2022 08:51

@Chakraleaf

I thought they could only do a certain percentage?
No, it just has to be 'fair' and in line with local market rents. You can challenge if you think it's unfair.

As long as he hasn't done it already in the last 12 months and he issues the correct notice, it is legal.

WabbitsAndWeasels · 06/02/2022 08:51

I'm not sure they have to justify and increase unfortunately however if it's out of line with local rental prices for similar properties you might have something ( www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases ). He will have reduced his costs by getting rid of the letting agents however I can see other costs may have increased but surely not by enough that £1250 should be the new rent. I think he's thinking much more about profit for himself than what the property is worth.

I think you only really have 3 responses, accept the rent (£350 per month is a lot to find), challenge him to prove its inline with other nearby properties (not sure who you approach if he ignores this) or hand in your notice but check out what your alternatives are first.

VanCleefArpels · 06/02/2022 08:53

You don’t need to sign a new contract for the new rent . But if you refuse you are likely to face eviction proceedings. This can take many months so you do have time to find a new place. Call Citizens Advice for info on how this will pan out

Laughsandgiggles · 06/02/2022 08:54

I don't think he can terminate the rent like that.
I am a landlady but my tenants are still on the old style tenancy where you can terminate the contract for any reason.
Not sure if it's only in Scotland but more recent rentals (I think last 5 years maybe?) now can only terminate for certain reasons like selling, living in it themselves or for major renovations. There are also laws in place to stop rent increases of more than a certain % a year.
Have a good read through your rental agreement or phone the letting agent for advice.

Original poster
livyaz · 06/02/2022 08:56

Just read over the agreement again, and I can't see anything out of the ordinary.
I totally get that he can in effect charge whatever he wants, but it's just came as a huge shock.
No way could we afford such a huge increase just like that.
And so unprofessional to send it via a text message!
I would accept happily an increase in line with inflation, but the utilities are paid by us also, so as a previous poster said, by getting rid of the agents surely he is saving money!
I'm so annoyed and upset

OP posts:
UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 06/02/2022 08:58

I'm so sorry, I don't think there's much you can do, it's the nature of private rental in the UK.

Mamamia7962 · 06/02/2022 08:59

Look at the rental price of similar properties in your area to compare the rent increase.

Where I live £900 a month would be the rental price for a 2 bed property. £1300 for a 3 bed.

NoSquirrels · 06/02/2022 09:00

I’d move, OP.

Because if you agree to this rent hike, he’ll do it again in 12 months. He’s shown he’s a terrible LL.

Get the letting agent to give you great references - go to the letting agent now, in fact, and have a chat to see what’s on their books. They know you’re a great tenant and they know this LL is a knob.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 06/02/2022 09:00

What are you currently paying in rent compared to similar properties in your area?

If you've not had an increase for a while and you're paying under market value then it will be easier for him to argue that he's just bringing you in line with everyone else.

Of course if you're already paying top whack for your area and property type then that's a different story.

girlmom21 · 06/02/2022 09:00

The housing market is bonkers at the moment. If you don't pay the new charge he'll evict you and find someone who can.

thewomanacrossthestreet · 06/02/2022 09:01

They are currently trying to bring in laws to stop this, so they can rise by percent and can't be evicted unless at fault but it's still going through.

You could try and counter offer look at your local rental properties see how much they are going and then make a offer.. £1200 is expensive for up north I pay £425 for a 2 bed up north! Shock

AllOfUsAreDead · 06/02/2022 09:02

Start searching for other properties. And ask him how he can justify that increase.

YetAnotherUsernameToday · 06/02/2022 09:03

That's absolutely disgraceful. As a PP said that's a 40% increase - not reasonable at all! perhaps £950 at the MOST! No wonder you are shocked and upset. He is also not having to pay the letting agents fees that he does currently. I'd look elsewhere if you can, I know how much it sucks but I wouldn't be treated like this, especially if you won't have the rental agents as intermediaries anymore. He doesn't sound like he will be reasonable or helpful if something goes wrong. Greedy, greedy bastard.

Aworldofmyown · 06/02/2022 09:03

I suspect he wants you out in order to sell. So sorry, renting in this country is disgusting.

mum2jakie · 06/02/2022 09:07

@NoSquirrels

I’d move, OP.

Because if you agree to this rent hike, he’ll do it again in 12 months. He’s shown he’s a terrible LL.

Get the letting agent to give you great references - go to the letting agent now, in fact, and have a chat to see what’s on their books. They know you’re a great tenant and they know this LL is a knob.

This sounds like good advice. I would do this and show them the message from the landlord.
BarbaraofSeville · 06/02/2022 09:09

You could challenge it as a pp advises but sadly private renters have very few rights in the UK. It's shit.

You'll also have to look around at what else you can rent. If you can find something comparable to the old rent, tell the landlord you are moving and that might force them to reconsider, especially if they were trying it on to give themselves a pay rise to cover their own bills going up and knew that the hike was out of keeping with prices in the area.

They should realise that there's a risk in losing good reliable tenants who pay the rent on time and look after the property. Who knows who they could get next?

On the other hand, you might have been lucky up to now and have been paying under the market rent for the size of property and area?

Warszawa · 06/02/2022 09:10

I guess if you are on a rolling contract now he just needs to give you a months notice ?

Perhaps respond to him with a counter offer of 1100 ? As you have let the house looking great and costs are going up for you as well !!

Hope you get a resolution op

FindingMeno · 06/02/2022 09:13

So sorry this is happening to you.
Private renters are so fucked at the moment Angry