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Original poster

Massive rent increase!

55 replies

yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 17:27

My mum’s rent has gone up from £700 pcm to £1450 pcm! She’s been paying £700 since 2012. She is retired and does get housing benefit. However, I’m assuming there is no way she will get extra help with this increase. Has anyone on housing benefit had such a massive rent increase and what help was there? There’s limited social housing in her area. This is why private rents need capping asap! I know social housing rents are.

OP posts:
midgetastic · 13/01/2023 17:30

Citizens advice - that sounds an unreasonable increase !

SchrodingersKettle · 13/01/2023 17:30

Sounds like her landlord has given her the benefit of low interest rates all this time, and now they won’t make a profit so they have priced it high knowing they need to hedge future rate increases. And/or they want her out so they can sell the property as it’s no longer profitable.

3WildOnes · 13/01/2023 17:35

You can find out what the housing benefit allowance is in her area. Just Google her local area and housing benefit allowance. Then you will know if it will be covered or what the shortfall is.

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 13/01/2023 17:43

If it had gone up 3% a year since 2012, it would be around £950 now (I think - someone please check my maths!)

What prices are similar things up for in the area? ie is it competitive at 1450? Or is the landlord trying to force her to move?

Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:41

@SchrodingersKettle the property is part of an estate a large farming family inherited, there is no mortgage so all profit

OP posts:
Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:44

@ChristmasCakeAndStilton this is result of rent tribunal appeal, they originally wanted 1750 for it! Still not worth 1450 though, she could have a brand new house for less money that was more energy efficient. But she’s stuck as I don’t think she’ll be able to afford this increase sadly. She’s been a tenant for 30years, it will kill her to leave as she’s always loved it, hence reason she stayed for so long!

OP posts:
Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:45

@3WildOnes thanks, I’ll do this now.

OP posts:
Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:46

@midgetastic i agree but totally legal!

OP posts:
Kabalagala · 13/01/2023 18:48

If it's comparable to local market rents there's nothing she can do

Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:51

@Kabalagala i understand this but this is why rent increases should be capped. The landlord hasn’t managed property well as not increased it for 10 years. This is because house had rotten windows but now they’ve been replaced he wacks rent up!

OP posts:
Kabalagala · 13/01/2023 18:52

yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 18:51

@Kabalagala i understand this but this is why rent increases should be capped. The landlord hasn’t managed property well as not increased it for 10 years. This is because house had rotten windows but now they’ve been replaced he wacks rent up!

Of course I agree. It's totally unreasonable, but I think as long as it's in line with local rents there's nothing she can do. It's totally shit and unfair.

SpareHeirOverThere · 13/01/2023 18:53

Is that the going market rate? It's great she's not had a hike in rent for 10 or 11 years, but it's bound to be a shock to find out how much rental properties are going for now.

ivykaty44 · 13/01/2023 18:58

you say that there is limited social rentals - have you looked at the over 55 and over 65 flats etc, usually there are many more of these types of properties than other social housing.

I know it's not the point of your post and id be in contact with shelter, to see if they have any advice but it appears Yule already got this rent rise down so maybe have exhausted all avenues.

if your mum is on HB then she can apply for discretionary housing benefit, which she may be granted for a perisd of 3 months and then apply again - this may help her pay the rent whilst she is looking for alternative accommodation

tappinginto2023 · 13/01/2023 19:10

When I was briefly a landlord I was told by the agent I wasn't allowed to raise rent by more than 10% (7% is more realistic) per 12 months as tenants can apply for some like "fair rent review" I don't remember if that's correct - but definitely contact Shelter for advice - your Mum should not pay the increased rent, just keep paying the £700pm and people will never be evicted by the courts. The landlord might offer her money to leave or make her life difficult if they really want her out though.

Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 19:11

@Kabalagala it bloody is. I just hope when she leaves the new tenants totally trash it, it will serve them right!

OP posts:
Catoneverychair · 13/01/2023 19:12

No rent increase for 10 years sounds rather unusual.

VanCleefArpels · 13/01/2023 19:17

It sounds like the new people who have inherited are trying to get everything up to snuff and that includes the rent. She was obviously in a very lucky arrangement previously and must have realised that the rent she was paying was under market values after so many years

If it had already gone to rent tribunal there us little she can do. She should urgently talk to the council about her options- including DHP as someone else has said - and age related social
housing which can be more available than others. She should also check if she is claiming everything she is entitled to including pension credit. Citizens Advice will be able to help

HirplesWithHaggis · 13/01/2023 19:17

Catoneverychair · 13/01/2023 19:12

No rent increase for 10 years sounds rather unusual.

Unusual but not unknown- we've been in this house over 17 years with no rent increase, all of our ll's properties are the same. (Like OP, rural estate)

twoandcooplease · 13/01/2023 19:20

yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 19:11

@Kabalagala it bloody is. I just hope when she leaves the new tenants totally trash it, it will serve them right!

I think that's a bit far op......!!

Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 19:20

@tappinginto2023 thanks for advice. Surely she would be evicted eventually? The stress would probably finish her off as she’s in her 70s!

OP posts:
DaVariance · 13/01/2023 19:20

She's a sitting tenant who's had quite a cushy deal till now. It was bound to happen

Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 19:26

@twoandcooplease yeah, it probably is. But she’s provided everything in house over the years, including kitchen. She’s treated it like her own and recently recarpeted after builders wrecked old ones when they replaced windows. Landlord would not compensate for damage or redecoration, he has such a terrible reputation in the local farming community for treating people so poorly.

OP posts:
Original poster
yosemite78 · 13/01/2023 19:27

@DaVariance well she did put up with rotten windows for over 10 years for fear of eviction, I wouldn’t say that was cushy but poorly treated

OP posts:
taxpayer1 · 13/01/2023 19:28

SchrodingersKettle · 13/01/2023 17:30

Sounds like her landlord has given her the benefit of low interest rates all this time, and now they won’t make a profit so they have priced it high knowing they need to hedge future rate increases. And/or they want her out so they can sell the property as it’s no longer profitable.

How can you possible know that?

thislittlehouseofmine · 13/01/2023 19:38

How big is the property? £1450 sounds larger than a one bed? Does she really need all that space at her age if it has multiple bedrooms?