Can you negotiate a proposed rent increase?

[Fornos]

I live in a very expensive area. Our three bed flat is £2600 a month. The landlord wants to increase the rent by 6% to £2750 a month.

The flat is great. A few things need fixing but nothing major.
I already think the flat is on the expensive end for what it is. More expensive have come up but they've been better inside. There are other flats similar that go for around £2,100 a month. But these are nigh on impossible to get.

We were told the landlord is willing to rent to us for next year if we pay the increased rent. Our contract says rent will increase a minimum of 3% and a maximum of 7.5%. Do you think we would get anywhere if we try and ask for a smaller increase?

I understand that inflation is rife, but we would be saving them the process of listing, cleaning, referencing et cetera.

I negotiated a proposed increase in my last rented flat, they agreed to meet me half way. I'd definitely ask if you've been good tenants and been there a while. They can only say no!

You can only ask. But remember that if they refuse you may then have to still suck it up or pay out to move...

Oh dear. The only way you can get any advantage in this situation is to show that you are serious about moving to another flat (do viewings and start negotiating rent and terms elsewhere) and and tell your landlord that your preference is to stay for x% increase maximum or you will move.

Without any leverage, you are relying on the generosity of the landlord. The odds of them being willing to negotiate, knowing that you have no other option, is low.

Also, never sign up to a rental contract that says "rent will increase a minimum of 3% and a maximum of 7.5%". Always negotiate a fixed % you are happy with and lock that down for the duration of your contract. If you are a desirable tenant, and I infer that you are, given the amount you are spending per month, you should negotiate more aggressively the next time you are renting instead of paying 20% more than comparable! I had rented for many years, both in the UK and abroad, as I used to travel a lot for work, and I've gotten away with locking down a rental amount with no increases for 3 years (in Fulham, London).

We did (a few years ago admittedly) - we said we’d pay if a long list of minor things in the flat were fixed. The landlord backed down instantly.

I’ve never agreed to increases, I usually negotiate lower price after a year of being perfect tenant and very timely payments. For any sensible landlord search of the new tenant is a very pricey adventure, especially now when they pay all fees etc. Plus they don’t know who they’ll get. So it is much more sensible for them to give me 50-100£ reduction than look for someone else. Once, landlord tried to put the price up for me and I just said no.

If there are a lot of flats like yours on the market he will back off, because he’ll loose so much in rent, because competition is big. It is just not worth it. But you need to be ready to move if landlord sticks to their decision.