You are reading a single comment by @arup and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
the very next day I get an email saying that they want to increase the rent by 500 a month
£500 a month is big money, to both you and the landlord. Their thought process will probably be similar to yours - that you've been a good tenant and they don't want to lose you, but in their eyes they are currently subsiding your housing by £6,000 a year and that's a lot to give to anyone.
So long as you're a calm character, invite the landlord round, show them how much you love living there, how well you keep the place and appeal to their humanity. If you can negotiate a smaller rise - half way maybe - you'll still be getting 'good' value and the lodger should cover the extra rent.
Hefty
@arup
My landlord mentioned a rent rise last year having not increased the rent in four years. I told them that I was struggling to pay the amount that I was paying and managed to stall for almost a year. Now after having varying amounts thrown at me they've had an estate agent come round to check the market rate for the size and location and the very next day I get an email saying that they want to increase the rent by 500 a month! And could I pay that when my next rent was due.
Talk about putting profit before people. I was straight onto CAB who pointed me to Shelter which has detailed info on all the questions that I had. Labour say that if they get in they will put a cap on the amount of rent increases on privately let properties.
I've taken a lodger on the advice of the landlord in order generate some extra income basically to cover the rent increase. Of course now the landlord says that I'm making a "profit" when ultimately they will be reaping the said profits in the long term but in the short term they can't touch it until they have formally issued me with a rent rise and I have signed a new contract to accept and agree to the amount. Going to attempt further haggling as I'm fairly settled even though the place could do with some work (couldn't every place) but if all they want is to maximise their profits rather than keep a long standing trusted tenant with no agency fees then reluctantly I'll just have to move out.