Our landlord informed us a few months ago that he would no longer be managing our property, and we met the new agents at the beginning of April.
They want us to sign a new tenancy for a year starting at the beginning of June rather than continuing with our current rolling tenancy. They also want to increase the rent amount by £100. We have been trying to negotiate this amount to an increase of £65 instead, however it all seems to have gone quiet and the new agent hasn't responded to my previous two emails.
As the original tenancy has no specific clause regarding rent increases, am I correct in saying that if we decided we wanted to stay on the rolling tenancy they would have to issue a section 8 to increase the rent or issue a section 21 if they wanted to terminate the rolling tenancy for whatever reason?
I have a feeling they're dragging things out and will spring the new tenancy agreement on us right at the end of may and pressure us to sign quickly for it to come into effect at the beginning of June. Would I be unreasonable to say in the case of them only giving is for example a few days to sign the new tenancy that it is not enough time and that we need time to read and consider it and they will have to redraw up the agreement to begin at the beginning of July?
I feel very wary about the whole situation as it just feels strange. Our next door neighbour who has the same landlord never had an Epc done (listed buildings) and is now being heavily pressured by the new agents to allow access for this to be done.
The is obviously a reason they're so keen for us to sign the new contract but I cnat work out what it is!