How are people affording the increases in rent?

[stmawes]

How on earth is everyone expected to keep up with the rent increases? Like, where is the money coming from?

I am a young teacher, earn about 30k a year. Which is a decent amount. I live in Zone 3 in a rented flat with two others. I am trying to scrape together a deposit for my own place one day, so I picked a cheaper flat.

My rent is currently £650 a month. My landlord has just informed us that she is increasing the rent to £800 a month next year, "to reflect changes in the market". I offered to meet her half way, and pointed out that I am a good tenant. This was rejected.

It's mind blowing, I live in East Midlands and a very average 4 bed in a market town is £1500 - £1950 pcm, that's a whole salary!!!

@EvilPea - is it in your tenancy agreement that you can't change supplier? That's awful. I don't pay my tenants bills so wouldn't dream of telling them who they had to get their utilities from

Re energy efficiency there is a bit more legislation now in that properties have to have an EPC of E or above, from 2025 this will need to be C or above. Hopefully that will get rid of the crappy boilers that some landlords keep in. They also need an annual electrical check, on top of the gas one that's been around for a while

There needs to be a rental cap brought in. Our landlord raised our rent from 1400 to 1480, which combined with all the other increases has just wiped our disposal income. Since the confirmation that Crossrail nearby is launching in a few weeks, Rightmove is now flooded with absolute shitholes for £1700 and above.

The system is fucked.

@jackstini yep. I’ve had 3 landlords and 5-6 agreements over that time for various reasons, some agents drawn up, some solicitor, some google. All have had it as a clause.
ive ignored it, as I cannot see the reasoning or if it’s enforceable.

i should add for the more angry landlords on here, I’ve done everything else they’ve asked.

It is. And so short sighted. The benefits bill is going to be massive when us renters can no longer work.

And no houses to sell to pay for care

@EvilPea, it's not an enforceable contract term in relation to energy supplier and meter. You can change supplier / meter if you want. CAB advice on this.

Unfortunately LL mortgages have gone up 3 yes in last 6 months and as LL can only increase rent once in a 12 months period on anniversary of contract a LL will be thinking of the whole of year ahead too and how many more times BofE puts rates up in upcoming 12 months. I am a LL and feel really bad about increasing tent but I already let houses out at well under market rate in our area and unsure how many more times tent will go up in next 12 months. This year in one house I have invested over £2k in individual thermostats for radiators, 3 new radiators to replace older ones, more loft insolation ahead of new EPC targets. New boiler last year. The EPC targets are pushing tent rises. Had I not had to spend so much on individual thermostats when a normal room thermostat they had previously was fine (the sort I have on my own home) I would not be raising the rent.

My understanding, which isn't based in law, just from my personal experience as a tenant what and I've heard from my neighbors who rent out two properties, is that a periodic increase between 2 and 5% is common for existing tenants. Certainly not annually, every few years perhaps. They usually do 2-3%.

They seem to be reasonable landlords and definitely maintain their properties. The OP is experiencing a 23% increase, that's completely unacceptable!

I seriously didn’t know that was the case, I’m appalled by 2 empty houses but didn’t realise families were living in static homes in some areas. It makes me so angry that a HA can leave 2 perfectly habitual homes empty for so long. They should be ashamed

my heart breaks as I see the little ones skipping home from school. There are multiple families on a number of sites (not traveller site, home sites)
im not talking about the plush rendered caravans you get,
I’m talking basic plastic static.
it shouldn’t be that way.
it’s choices isn’t it. This housing crisis takes all choices away.
if you chose to live in one, fine, crack on, enjoy it. But you should be able to have a brick home with plumbed in utilities should you wish.

Is why domestic violence murders happen.
Victims can't afford to leave. Abusers don't let victim work or disable victim or victim can't do fulltime cos has young kids to look after.
Councils in some areas legally have to house domestic abuse victims but can be 12 month private let. Usually slumlord cos only slumlords take benefits). Victim especially if on benefits can't afford so after 12 months victim is homeless unless can return to abuser. Especially if no kids or kids grown up cos then not priority for council homeless. People on mumsnet especially relationships board can be nasty to victim if they don't leave but how can we if nowhere to go. Refuges are temp and then where does victim go? Lots of us have to go back.

Been told by local domestic abuse place and council and a domestic abuse legal helpline that housing nothing to do with domestic violence. Massive rubbish lie. It's everything to do with it.

It's rubbish lie that domestic abuse taken seriously. Victim told by local abuse service to call police. Service says not their problem if victim homeless if does that.

Whenever there's a murder people say she should have asked for help. Very possible victim did ask for help but wasn't given help to leave or stay away. Victim can't leave if going to be homeless.

Pets are another big reason to stay, you know you can protect them. But you can’t take them to a refuge, and private rentals don’t like them.

it’s all such a fucking mess isn’t it.

Even some housing associations not allowing pets. I saw them advertising. Pets mean so much cos like therapy and can trust more than human. I don't have one now and can't afford one now but should be allowed for people who already have one.

Think some fostering places for pets but don't know if enough spaces maybe same like refuges hard to get space. Pet very important like family and abuser maybe hurt it if left behind.

It all comes down to money. Money gives you choices without it you don’t have any.

Absolutely,

the goal posts have moved dramatically and fast as to how much you need to have autonomy over your life. It’s gone from an average wage to only a small percentage of people able to have control of their life

@fatfrenchprick

Have you tried contacting CAP? They provide financial advice and assistance. They can help you get everything in order and provide/sign post to practical things like food banks, vouchers etc. You don't need to have any particular faith to use them.

Please reach out. There is help out there.

I've taken on a Saturday job.
I'm basically sniffing around all the time for extra hours.

@fatfrenchprick
Sorry to mention you again. It might be an idea to post your own thread about your circumstances in money matters.

I think i read something about defaulting on tour council tax impacting your credit rating, so it is preferable to pay concil tax and use food banks or find other ways to meet other bills. I know that's easier said than done though.

A house for rent very near me, similar in size, features, etc, is going for 3x the cost of my mortgage. Shocking.

@FurierTransform it’s all well and good saying people can just move but it’s having a knock on effect. We moved outside of London and now we’ve seen an increase in people moving from London. The rents have all but doubled around here. I also already travel an 1hr each way to work. At this rate it will be a new job, house and schools.

Hopefully someone has said contact shelter about the rent increase

raising from £650 to £800 is probably not allowed so check this out

I think i read something about defaulting on tour council tax impacting your credit rating, so it is preferable to pay concil tax and use food banks or find other ways to meet other bills. I know that's easier said than done though.

council tax is not a bill, it’s literally a tax demand and whilst not paying doesn’t affect your credit rating. If you don’t pay council tax it very quickly escalates to court, bailiff and ultimately commit all to prison - it’s a priority to pay council tax

If you are struggling to pay council tax please contact and ask to spread payments, ask for a special payment plan. They can set them up for weekly or fortnightly payments etc