Landlord Issue

[Chrishell47]

We are approaching the renewal of our current annual home lease, and the landlord has requested a 20% increase for renewals. Despite the market rates for similar apartments being around $1800-$1900 per month, and none of my neighbors paying more than $1900 per month in our complex, we agreed to a rent of $2150. The landlord explained that he needed the higher amount to cover his high mortgage payments. Although $2100 is already beyond our budget, we accepted in order to avoid the inconvenience of moving, especially since my child will be starting school soon and we have already confirmed enrollment.
However, when I asked the landlord for permission to use the garage space to store a few boxes, he flatly refused. He stated that he was uncomfortable sharing access because he had personal belongings stored there. This made me feel as though he was insinuating that I might misuse or steal his possessions, which I found deeply offensive. As a result, I confronted him about his behavior and subsequently submitted my 60 days' notice to terminate the lease.
Since then, I have been considering the implications of this decision, including the need to find and move to a new home, arrange for admission at another school, and all the hassles associated with moving.
AIBU to expect that, if I am willing to pay more than the market rates, I should be granted at least partial access to the garage? Unfortunately, the agreement does not cover garage usage as I only discovered its availability much later. Honestly, it's not a major deal-breaker, but the landlord's behavior certainly was.
Do you believe I am making the right decision or am I overreacting?

I think you should have made the garage access a condition of agreeing to the rent raise.

I also think you have cut your nose off to spite your face unless you can rent similar for under $2000.

Is there nothing at all near the school?

You have used dollar signs so on the assumption you are not in the UK, the culture and what’s acceptable might be different than the UK.

For context, I am a flexible and reasonable Landlord (LL) with long term settled tenants of years occupancy.

You have agreed to pay a new rent based on your first assumptions of schools, remaining settled et al. Fair enough.

As the garage is not part of your lease, I would suggest you are pushing your luck to ask for storage space within it and have overreacted.

Whatever your feelings about his reasoning or attitude, it seems like you have acted in a fit of pique and are regretting it. I can understand the regret, especially given the hassle you now face to find an alternative place.

Your LL might be glad for you to move out so he can re-tenant for even more rent? Who knows.

Im not condoning your LL’s intransigent behaviour but he is certainly within his rights to refuse to share the space.

Renting in the UK is a massive issue at present. Too many tenants, not enough houses. I hope it’s not going to be the same for you wherever you are.
Good luck.