Rent increase

[CammieP]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can help me to interpret a clause from my lease? It says: "the rent will increase by the amount stated for the annual increase in the Index of Retail Prices (All items) as quoted for the month two months prior to the month to the month of the increase".

My lease ends at the end of May, so I assume the 2 months before is March - how do I find out what this annual increase is and does this mean that they are only allowed to put it up by this amount, or have I misunderstood?

Thanks,
C

It sounds like it will go up with inflation. So it wont be a huge rise hopefully

Agree, allow up to 5.5%. However they need to write to you 2 months in advance and should provide a new contract (if AST) if old one mentions a rent amount. The two months gives you the option to refuse and move out under LL notice.

Thanks, our lease expires at the end of May. They gave us two months notice that they wanted to give us a new lease with an 8% increase. We haven't accepted yet, but then I spotted this last night. I wasn't sure whether if they give us a new lease, this over-rides the term in the old one, iyswim.

Thanks for the replies, it's what we thought it meant!

LIZS, can you clarify something, please?
Does that mean that if a landlord is intending to increase the rent, they must inform you two months before your tenancy is due for renewal?

Is this an AST?

Yes it is.

AST = Assured Shorthold Tenancy. I'm nto sure whether legally it has to be 2 months (as op mentions) or 1, so that you as tenant can still give due notice before expiry of lease. Those are the standard terms of an AST unless the actual contract could state otherwsie.