Private let & new landlord

[dilly123]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience in the following situation please..

I'm a lone parent, working 16hrs thus claiming housing benefit..

My current landlord informed me today that my home is going to auction in October but will be sold with a sitting tenant, I was just wondering if new landlord wants me to stay but wants to increase the rent (I recently had an increase & really could not afford another) what are my rights.. ?? Would my housing benefit be increased to cover this even if I'm already getting the maximum allowance from my local authority.. because if I say I can't afford it this have to move out aren't I making myself intentionally homeless??

Any advice welcome thank you

I would stay put and see what happens.

New landlord might just carry on as before

If they up the rent and you cant afford it, then wait till you are asked to leave (Formal letters etc) and go to the council, they may help with rehousing.

Are there many private rental properties around you
?

IIRC correctly they can only put your rent up once every 12 months. Check the Shelter website.

Thank you..

No affordable private let's in my area, I couldn't raise the deposit anytime soon anyway.. done it 4 times in 11 years fed up of the stress, lack of long term security & expense ... wish I'd have listened to my solicitor all those years ago when separating & not left the marital home 😢

Legally rent can only be increased yearly: i sought advice when I had a LL doing it every 6months. I had a recent rent increase with my new LL & HB paid it, only asking for the letter re the increase. Sitting tenants & houses being passed to new landlords every 2years or so are quite common where I live: usually things rumble along as before. My house is made up of 3flats & has been sold twice in 5years. All tenants are all still here.

Are you within the fixed term period or has it expired?