Page 5 | Unable to pay rent increase

GoAgainstNicki · 2023-03-12T18:32:11+00:00

I wonder if anyone is able to give some advice on what the next steps will be? I had an email from the estate agents a couple of weeks ago to say that the Landlord is requesting a rent increase from 1180 to 1500 a month. He wanted this done effective immediately but as my tenancy doesn’t say anything about allowing rent increases, he’ll have to wait until my tenancy is finished this summer. If I’m unable to pay the rent increase which I totally can’t, what happens next? I already bid for council properties and I know the council won’t help me at all unless I’ve been served with a section 21 notice. Do I just ask the Landlord to start the eviction process and still pay 1180 every month? The Landlord isn’t open to negotiation at all which is quite silly because it’s probably not worth going to court over just to get an eviction notice but hey, ho! Thanks for any advice given:)

Jabiru · 15/03/2023 17:12

Agreed. It’s so worrying, too

Greenfairydust · 15/03/2023 17:33

OP in the end you have to do the best you can for you and your kids, not what is best for the landlord..

The increase suggested is ridiculous in the first place so I don't blame you for refusing to play nice.

I would:

contact housing associations in your area to see if they can find your somewhere with a more reasonable rent and a more secure tenure

look at whether moving to a cheaper area is a practical option

ultimately if there are no other options consider staying put until you get an eviction notice and the council has to rehouse you.

There is a massive failure in this country to build enough affordable housing and provide affordable, secure rentals so some people have no choice but to force landlords to seek possession and to wait for their local council to take over. That is the reality.

You are getting a lot of patronising replies from people who are probably very comfortably set up as home-owners and can't start to comprehend what someone in your situation is going through.

Ignore them and do what you need to do to keep a roof over your kids' head.

Pangolin23 · 15/03/2023 18:11

Greenfairydust · 15/03/2023 17:33

OP in the end you have to do the best you can for you and your kids, not what is best for the landlord..

The increase suggested is ridiculous in the first place so I don't blame you for refusing to play nice.

I would:

contact housing associations in your area to see if they can find your somewhere with a more reasonable rent and a more secure tenure

look at whether moving to a cheaper area is a practical option

ultimately if there are no other options consider staying put until you get an eviction notice and the council has to rehouse you.

There is a massive failure in this country to build enough affordable housing and provide affordable, secure rentals so some people have no choice but to force landlords to seek possession and to wait for their local council to take over. That is the reality.

You are getting a lot of patronising replies from people who are probably very comfortably set up as home-owners and can't start to comprehend what someone in your situation is going through.

Ignore them and do what you need to do to keep a roof over your kids' head.

OP must be living in central London for the local housing allowance to be as much as it is, £1346 for a 1-bed. By way of comparison I’m in zone 2 and that’s more than the council would cover here. So OP must be somewhere like Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea etc.

Whatever the failures of housing policy I don’t think you can say anyone has the right to live in the heart of the capital city if they can’t afford it!

Jabiru · 15/03/2023 18:47

And I also think there’s confusion between ‘patronising replies’ and ‘truths that the OP may not like.’

Being comfortably set up is not always an accident of birth or product of advantage, and nor is it a guarantee of a patronising reply. It may in fact be a sensible reply from sensible people who can perhaps see that living in Zone 1 on universal credit as a single parent of two children in rental accommodation may not be sustainable. Most people can’t afford to live there either.

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 15/03/2023 18:59

So OP must be somewhere like Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea etc

who can perhaps see that living in Zone 1 on universal credit as a single parent of two children in rental accommodation may not be sustainable

@Pangolin23 @Jabiru

It really is laughable that you idiots have completely pulled this shit out of your arse. So because I have a two bedroom entitlement which makes the LHA £1346, I must live in Zone 1? Erm, how about no. Please stop coming on this thread with your agenda’s when you literally don’t know what you’re talking about.

I don’t live in Zone 1 and I certainly don’t live in an area like Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea.

Seriously let me shut up now because you losers are really doing my head in!

OP posts:

user40643 · 15/03/2023 19:22

I have a two bedroom entitlement

The council won't pay you a two bedroom entitlement for a one bedroom flat.

I'm confused about what's going on here.

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 15/03/2023 19:45

user40643 · 15/03/2023 19:22

I have a two bedroom entitlement

The council won't pay you a two bedroom entitlement for a one bedroom flat.

I'm confused about what's going on here.

Not quite sure how you’re telling me how this all works when I literally get my current rent paid based off of a two bedroom LHA…

The website given on Gov.uk tells you how many bedrooms you’re entitled too based off of your circumstances….

That’s all from me✌️

OP posts:

dollymixtured · 15/03/2023 19:51

I suspect the OP is being coy about where she lives as she knows full well that she is living in an area that the vast majority of people who pay their own rent or mortgage couldn't afford hence the high housing allowance

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 15/03/2023 20:09

dollymixtured · 15/03/2023 19:51

I suspect the OP is being coy about where she lives as she knows full well that she is living in an area that the vast majority of people who pay their own rent or mortgage couldn't afford hence the high housing allowance

It’s not a secret where I live😂 this is Mumsnet not MI5. Why would I disclose my area/zone so people can carry on ripping me to shreds.

If you can’t afford to live here then you can’t afford to live here. I’m going back to the COUNCIL to get help from the COUNCIL so I can be placed in temporary accommodation again. Or better yet, a COUNCIL flat. Oh, btw did I mention that the COUNCIL will be helping me?

My whole support system is here. More importantly, my 10 month olds care team is here. I’m talking about physio, OT, portage, dietician, neurologist, paediatrician and ophthalmologist. He’s had most of these people in his lives since he was 2 days old. You think I’m gonna move to another part of the country just because people like you can’t afford a mortgage here?

I can’t even have a conversation with you because you have a bloody mortgage. I’m a single parent on UC who needs the council’s help again. I can’t be speaking to someone who’s life is completely different to mine and just doesn’t get it. Bye!

OP posts:

Exchange230316 · 15/03/2023 21:04

OP I think it might be best to ask to have this taken down.

Greenfairydust · 15/03/2023 21:10

''@Pangolin23

OP must be living in central London for the local housing allowance to be as much as it is, £1346 for a 1-bed. By way of comparison I’m in zone 2 and that’s more than the council would cover here. So OP must be somewhere like Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea etc.

Whatever the failures of housing policy I don’t think you can say anyone has the right to live in the heart of the capital city if they can’t afford it!''

The OP mentioned she lives in a 1 bed flat with 2 kids.

Hardly luxury I would say...

Anyway her rent is £1180 which is actually pretty low for a 1 bed flat in London.

I was living somewhere on the border between zone 2-3 until recently and most 1 bed private rentals where advertised for £1200 and over in that area even before the rental market went mad recently.

Don't make it sound like she is living in a luxury home in Chelsea at the tax payer expense...

She would pay the same in Hackney or Newham.

Or are you suggested only rich people should live in London at all?

user40643 · 15/03/2023 21:56

So you're saying if one was entitled to a 3 bedroom house but lived in a 1 bedroomed house they would be paid the 3 bedroom rate?

That's not how it works.

It's calculated on the amount of rooms you have. You have 1 and are paid the 1 bedroom rate which is not £1346.

dollymixtured · 15/03/2023 22:03

GoAgainstNicki · 15/03/2023 20:09

It’s not a secret where I live😂 this is Mumsnet not MI5. Why would I disclose my area/zone so people can carry on ripping me to shreds.

If you can’t afford to live here then you can’t afford to live here. I’m going back to the COUNCIL to get help from the COUNCIL so I can be placed in temporary accommodation again. Or better yet, a COUNCIL flat. Oh, btw did I mention that the COUNCIL will be helping me?

My whole support system is here. More importantly, my 10 month olds care team is here. I’m talking about physio, OT, portage, dietician, neurologist, paediatrician and ophthalmologist. He’s had most of these people in his lives since he was 2 days old. You think I’m gonna move to another part of the country just because people like you can’t afford a mortgage here?

I can’t even have a conversation with you because you have a bloody mortgage. I’m a single parent on UC who needs the council’s help again. I can’t be speaking to someone who’s life is completely different to mine and just doesn’t get it. Bye!

Show quote history

No sweetheart you are sadly mistaken, I can afford to live where I want, it's you that can't afford to house your family. Luckily for you there are people like me paying in so that you can be funded by, as you put it, the COUNCIL

converseandjeans · 15/03/2023 22:10

Oh and this is all for a one bedroom flat btw!

That's a crazy price & we would not be able to afford that much increase on our mortgage. It does sound like the landlord is taking the piss & taxpayers are paying off his mortgage for him.

It must be really stressful for you & I agree with the poster asking where we will find key workers & people who drive buses, clean offices, serve coffees, sweep streets. Are they expected to commute in to do those jobs?

rainingsnoring · 15/03/2023 22:17

@Greenfairydust 'There is a massive failure in this country to build enough affordable housing and provide affordable, secure rentals so some people have no choice but to force landlords to seek possession and to wait for their local council to take over. That is the reality.

You are getting a lot of patronising replies from people who are probably very comfortably set up as home-owners and can't start to comprehend what someone in your situation is going through.

Ignore them and do what you need to do to keep a roof over your kids' head'

Fully agree.

@dollymixtured -why do you need to write multiple posts putting the OP down and telling her she is 'taking the piss'? Her landlord has put the rent up by nearly 30% and is unwilling to meet her in the middle. That is 'taking the piss' if you like the phrase and an unreasonable hike in rent.
It's depressing that, instead of offering support or practical advice, some people are tearing the OP apart. She is a single mother with one child who has significant medical problems who has already been made homeless and now will probably be again. She also has a job, presumably a poorly paid one. Can't you show a bit of empathy and support instead of being unpleasant all the way through the thread?

rainingsnoring · 15/03/2023 22:18

'It must be really stressful for you & I agree with the poster asking where we will find key workers & people who drive buses, clean offices, serve coffees, sweep streets. Are they expected to commute in to do those jobs?'

Exactly. I don't think some people put two and two together when they moan about having to subside others in society.

MrNook · 15/03/2023 22:20

user40643 · 15/03/2023 19:22

I have a two bedroom entitlement

The council won't pay you a two bedroom entitlement for a one bedroom flat.

I'm confused about what's going on here.

Yes they will

pompei8309 · 15/03/2023 22:21

GoAgainstNicki · 12/03/2023 20:02

That’s exactly what I’ll be doing. So I won’t sign the new tenancy but because I know the Landlord 100% wants 1500 a month, he’ll have to start the eviction process so I can leave. I’m more than happy to negotiate but he isn’t so that leaves me quite stuck.

Thanks so much for your advice! I’ll be contacting Shelter soon as I know they’re super helpful

Show quote history

Why can’t you start looking for another property? why do you want to get to the point of eviction?

MrNook · 15/03/2023 22:21

user40643 · 15/03/2023 21:56

So you're saying if one was entitled to a 3 bedroom house but lived in a 1 bedroomed house they would be paid the 3 bedroom rate?

That's not how it works.

It's calculated on the amount of rooms you have. You have 1 and are paid the 1 bedroom rate which is not £1346.

If you were entitled to the 3 bedroom rate, lived in a 1 bed but the rent was more than the 1 bed rate then yes it would be covered (capped at the price of the 3 bedroom rate).

emark · 15/03/2023 22:22

Only a court or tenant can end an Assured Short hold Tenancy agreement (AST).
Rent can only be increased once per year with a section 13 notice. This will give information on appealing the increase with a local tribunal, this can only be successful if the increased amount is more than local market rates.

The landlord could then serve a section 21 notice or a section 8 once the difference between rent increase and rent paid is equal to or greater than 8 weeks total rent.
Most local authorities expect to wait until a landlord has been to court to serve an eviction notice before offering assistance

pompei8309 · 15/03/2023 22:23

rainingsnoring · 15/03/2023 22:17

@Greenfairydust 'There is a massive failure in this country to build enough affordable housing and provide affordable, secure rentals so some people have no choice but to force landlords to seek possession and to wait for their local council to take over. That is the reality.

You are getting a lot of patronising replies from people who are probably very comfortably set up as home-owners and can't start to comprehend what someone in your situation is going through.

Ignore them and do what you need to do to keep a roof over your kids' head'

Fully agree.

@dollymixtured -why do you need to write multiple posts putting the OP down and telling her she is 'taking the piss'? Her landlord has put the rent up by nearly 30% and is unwilling to meet her in the middle. That is 'taking the piss' if you like the phrase and an unreasonable hike in rent.
It's depressing that, instead of offering support or practical advice, some people are tearing the OP apart. She is a single mother with one child who has significant medical problems who has already been made homeless and now will probably be again. She also has a job, presumably a poorly paid one. Can't you show a bit of empathy and support instead of being unpleasant all the way through the thread?

Is not taking the piss unless you know how much the landlord mortgage went up by? maybe meetings in the middle doesn’t cover his mortgage. Not sure why people automatically think all landlords are for making profit? you cleared are not one so you haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about

MrNook · 15/03/2023 22:25

No sweetheart you are sadly mistaken, I can afford to live where I want, it's you that can't afford to house your family. Luckily for you there are people like me paying in so that you can be funded by, as you put it, the COUNCIL

What an unnecessarily spiteful and bitchy comment. The OP is having to rely on benefits to top up her wages whilst working and caring for two children (one with medical problems) in a one bed flat, I'm sure she's not doing it for a laugh and if she could work more she would.

Unfortunately not everyone is as lucky as you are but at least not everyone is as patronising and rude as you!

dollymixtured · 15/03/2023 22:25

rainingsnoring · 15/03/2023 22:17

@Greenfairydust 'There is a massive failure in this country to build enough affordable housing and provide affordable, secure rentals so some people have no choice but to force landlords to seek possession and to wait for their local council to take over. That is the reality.

You are getting a lot of patronising replies from people who are probably very comfortably set up as home-owners and can't start to comprehend what someone in your situation is going through.

Ignore them and do what you need to do to keep a roof over your kids' head'

Fully agree.

@dollymixtured -why do you need to write multiple posts putting the OP down and telling her she is 'taking the piss'? Her landlord has put the rent up by nearly 30% and is unwilling to meet her in the middle. That is 'taking the piss' if you like the phrase and an unreasonable hike in rent.
It's depressing that, instead of offering support or practical advice, some people are tearing the OP apart. She is a single mother with one child who has significant medical problems who has already been made homeless and now will probably be again. She also has a job, presumably a poorly paid one. Can't you show a bit of empathy and support instead of being unpleasant all the way through the thread?

The landlord agreed to offer a reduced rent when she first took the property and gave a substantial discount, strangely enough the landlord now wants something more like a market rent. OP started another thread about this where she actually says she could afford the increase so it seems odd that less than a month later she has now decided the only course of action is to get evicted. If you are homeless when you have your first child and then proceed to have another child in very short order with no way of supporting yourself or your offspring, then yes I will judge.

MrNook · 15/03/2023 22:27

Why can’t you start looking for another property? why do you want to get to the point of eviction?

@pompei8309 OP has commented several times to explain that the council won't help her unless she is served a notice.

She's receiving Universal Credit, nowhere is going to accept her. It took me over a year of applying for every single property that was within my budget and I got rejected for every single one (and told countless times landlords don't want people on benefits) until I was able to offer a year upfront.

dollymixtured · 15/03/2023 22:28

MrNook · 15/03/2023 22:25

No sweetheart you are sadly mistaken, I can afford to live where I want, it's you that can't afford to house your family. Luckily for you there are people like me paying in so that you can be funded by, as you put it, the COUNCIL

What an unnecessarily spiteful and bitchy comment. The OP is having to rely on benefits to top up her wages whilst working and caring for two children (one with medical problems) in a one bed flat, I'm sure she's not doing it for a laugh and if she could work more she would.

Unfortunately not everyone is as lucky as you are but at least not everyone is as patronising and rude as you!

Having multiple children you can't afford to house or support is not a matter of luck.