Rent increase

[Lacky301]

Hello all me and dp moved into our 1 bedroom flat in 2018 and we pay £425 a month we are very lucky in that our landlord has never increased the rent I am completely aware of that. Its extremely dated and shabby and no heating there was just a old dated electric fire in the living room which we got rid off as it was awful we just bought our own electric heaters for summer months.
Landlord has hardly spent much on it during our time here he bought it at auction and it more or less stands the same he didn't refurbish it update etc for prospective tenants.
He is now saying he needs to look at raising the rent as his accountant has advised him he should.
They are saying market value is about £675 but I told him that's too much too soon and the place needs updating.
I would rather keep the rent low and not update as we are under alot of pressure financially at the moment.
Please can anybody advise on a fair increase and how I can negotiate with him.

If he agrees to the 500 I would agree and start saving up to move to a better place. You can't live like this forever.

Your landlord isn't being unreasonable in increasing the rent, however he doesn't sound that great in terms of making sure it's a safe place for anyone to live. I'd be inclined to start looking for somewhere else based on the second point, but be prepared to pay a (much) higher going rate rent. Your financial situation isn't really his concern, much as that sounds harsh, he doesn't owe you anything beyond providing habitable accommodation (which it sounds like he possibly isn't doing).

675 to 525 is a result, I’m not sure I would have pushed him to 500.

£525 is very reasonable, I think you have got a good deal. You are unlikely to find anything cheaper.

I'm quite depressed about my situation I'm in a dated flat and I have no money to better myself.

He's tried to sell it twice without success as too much work to do on it.

I agree. For the sake of £25 I wouldn't have negotiated, especially as you're unable to afford other places if he decides to evict you.

depending on where you live £400/500 is not the norm for flats.

So if one day landlord decides to get his act together, renovate the house and sell in a hurry or (sorry to be morbid!) passes away suddenly and they force a sale, you could be left competing for far pricier flats and if you’re not prepared it could be difficult.

Basically save as much as you can because this low rent situation might not last forever.

When I was in a minimum wage job back in 2015 I paid £400 per month (for a room) on my own although that was including bills.

Edit to add : I don’t what “essential “ you’re saving for but having enough for somewhere decent and safe is also an essential. My essentials are food, rent , bills, toiletries. If I was on a NMW job and struggling to pay for even a low rent with my partner, I’d ask whether this “big essential” really is essential and consider taking a second job or reducing the amount I saved.

He gave me a tenancy agreement back in 2018 and has never renewed it

If you are in the UK this might help.
Bear in mind that the increase is over 6 years, so while it seems excessive, many people will have had several rent increases in that time period: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases

Yes I have to take into consideration the rent hasn't risen in 6 years.

OK so NMW is much higher than it was when I earned that in 2015.

according to the internet it works out as £23,000 for full- time workers (unless you’re super young which I assume you’re not if you’ve lived there for 6 years).

23 x 2 is £46,000. You bring in a decent combined wage. I agree with pp I wouldn’t have pushed it down to £500 as a £100 increase after 6 years is reasonable.

I earn just 15k and dp about 24k

Are you working part time?

I work 30 hrs per work roughly as I have numerous health issues

Can you claim benefits for your health issues?

I've tried not entitled to anything was refused pip

OK fair enough I see you have health issues so can’t work more.

Either way you’re still bringing in a decent wage of 39,000. Slightly above average household income while paying far less in rent than most people . And I’m assuming neither of you have kids?

Do you have student loans or massive debts?

If not - that’s about £2500 a month income between the two of you after tax ( And obviously a few hundred less if you have student loans)

Dp supports his children and I help my son

I have a loan paying £110 a month no other debt

£520 goes on our kids between us

Did you appeal? Did you get advice on how to fill the forms in? If your health issues stop you working full time I’d look into it again.

Do you claim child benefit?

Council tax £128
Rent 525
Water £35
Food 320
Mobiles internet 52
Life insurance 5
Vaping 30
Car insurance 35
Petrol 80
Loan 110
Family support 520

I think that that rent increase seems reasonable, tbh. If the LL had done an annual increase since you've been there, it would be a lot more now. And you must be bringing home £2.5-£3k between you, so even £525 isn't a huge amount.

He sounds like a pretty shit LL though, if he hasn't protected your deposit or put smoke alarms in.

I honestly don't have the energy because they base it all on a phone call and I'm better at putting what I experience on paper.