Rent increase by 33%!

[SwedishKaz]

We've been in our rented accommodation for 11 years now, and never missed a payment on our rent. We have looked after the place, decorated it and paid to have the carpets cleaned on a regular basis.
The private landlord sold the properties in December last year, and today we received a letter saying that the landlord is proposing a new rent. The increase is 33%.
Can they do that? I have read up a little online and found that I can appeal to my local rent Assessment Committee, but that they may agree with the landlord depending on fair pricing in the area.

Thanks for replying NewYearEverything. To be fair, we have only had 1 increase in the 11 years, and the increase will bring it up to the market rate.
I guess it's only fair, but I just felt that it was a HUGE increase.
Do you know if it's also true that private landlords can only increase the rent bi-annually?

"the increase will bring it up to the market rate"

YABU then! You should be thankful you had it cheap for so long, it's only fair you pay market rent. The new owner shouldn't have to subsidise you!

Thank you NewYearEverything. That's very helpful.

HeidiHole - Woah! No need for the aggressiveness. I don't believe I posted this under "Am I being Unreasonable?"

I know we've had it good for a long time, I just didn't know if it was legal to with such a high increase at once.

So so wrong. This is I am sure down to the new landlord over stretching themselves on the mortgage to buy and now having to up the rent to cover it regardless of what its worth

noddy if you read the posts by the OP she says that the new rent IS what it is worth!

OP you will know the situation locally to you. Could you rent a similar property more cheaply? If so then here's your chance. If not, you will have to agree to the new rent to sign a new contract to stay where you are.

You can of course appeal to the RAC but I doubt the landlord will have set the rent without taking into account the local going rate for your type of property - although it's possible they may want to clear out existing tenants to redevelop.

You need to look at comparative rents before you decide whether you have a case to argue at the RAC - as they can decide that rent can go up as well as down.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Problemsanddisputes/DG_191684

I'd look at Rightmove to see what similar properties are going for in your area before you thought about an appeal to RAC.