any landlords help with rent increase

[ronttuk]

I've been in my rented flat over 10 yrs now my rent is £450 a month I have a tenancy agreement that my rent can increase by 10% a year, Rent always paid on time every month

 

although my rent has not increased in several years,

 

Ive just received a letter from my landlord and his daughter saying that they want to increase the rent to £600 every four weeks instead of monthly payments,which is a 13 yearly payment £2400 per annum increase,

 

Since I have been here there has been very little maintenance done on the flat by my landlord but I have maintained the flat myself with jobs like replacing the rotten fence at the end of the garden, getting a plasterer to fix the ceiling when it collapsed due to a leak in the upstairs flat (which he also owns) repairing the rotten garage roof so it is safe to use,and getting the bedroom totally replasterd due to mould and damp,also our boiler hasn't been serviced in 5 yrs although requesting this every year to be serviced,the flat has been kept in good decorative order and kept clean and tidy (well maybee not tidy)

 

So basically is he allowed to increase my rent by this amount when my tenancy agreement says 10% per annum,

 

please only reply if you know for sure that what you say is correct not suppositions

[Wez]

What the time period on the tenancy agreement, is it still valid from 10 years ago?

[ronttuk]

When I first moved in here it was by verbal agreement, I was made to sign a tenancy agreement in April 2006, I've not been asked to sign anything since then,

[The-Plethora]

Cant advise on the legality of it all but...

 

Have a plan B, but get in contact and say the rent increase is too much and very politely give notice that you will be moving on to another property in the local area.

 

I would be very suprised if he does not lower it considerably knowing you are a good reliable tennant rather than go through the whole process of getting someone in, the propertly possibly sitting vacant for a while and having someone they dont know anything about moving in.

[Terminator]

Verbal agreement and you went for it???? your land lord sounds like he is operating outside the law, you need legal advice. I hope you have receipts for all the work you have done. Did you ever put anything in writing to the landlord about the items you have repaired before you repaired them? I know its sounds nut, but the landlord could evict you because you carried out unauthorised alterations to his property.

[ronttuk]

I repeatedly told the landlord that things needed repairing but he never done it so i arranged it myself he has seen the work ive arranged and said nothing in the past so I don't think that will be a problem

[The Raven]

Notice, and move.

 

Sounds like hes a PITA

[Terminator]

I repeatedly told the landlord that things needed repairing but he never done it so i arranged it myself he has seen the work ive arranged and said nothing in the past so I don't think that will be a problem

 

I used to be a land lord, the only thing worth anything in court is written evidence. If he wants to put the rent up and you don't like it, he might use your "alterations" as reason to evict. All I am saying is in the eyes of the law you are in the wrong if you don't have written permission. Verbal agreements are worthless. To be honest he sounds like an arse, you would be better off elsewhere. He is laughing at you, you have added value to his property at your expense, an ideal tenant.

[Dozymare]

Try this link - I found it useful

 

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/138289.pdf

[creative]

I used to be a land lord, the only thing worth anything in court is written evidence. If he wants to put the rent up and you don't like it, he might use your "alterations" as reason to evict. All I am saying is in the eyes of the law you are in the wrong if you don't have written permission. Verbal agreements are worthless. To be honest he sounds like an arse, you would be better off elsewhere. He is laughing at you, you have added value to his property at your expense, an ideal tenant.

 

this.

 

Irrelevent that you have done work. It is his choice not to do any work. So long as you have the important stuff like running water and electricity, he doesnt have to do anything. Verbal agreements wont be accepted at a tribunial... this is why we only do things when they are written down!

 

It is your choice to stay here.. not his. I would just give notice and move.

 

What the time period on the tenancy agreement, is it still valid from 10 years ago?

 

A TA is in effect until either party teminate it or a new one is drawn up and signed. A tenent doesnt have to sign a new one if it is offered and can stay in a property on an expired lease. The (written) terms still stand.