Pernickety tenant?

Pernickety tenant?

10:56 AM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago 38

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A contract is due for renewal on 1st April. Owing to recent events, I reluctantly decided to raise the rent by £40 a month. I notified the tenant on 7th February. He has come back to me and said that if he stays he will pay the new rent from 7th April as that is two months from the time I notified him, irrespective of the start date of the new contract, which is a week earlier.

I can’t believe he is quibbling over £10. Not only will this change have to be reflected in the new agreement showing the date of the new payment, but also it will be complicated in terms of his direct debit for the week 1-6th April when he will pay the same amount, and then pay more after 7th.

I know that if I gave notice for him to leave it would have to be two months but as for notice of a rent rise, is there a law about this too? There is nothing about it on the tenancy agreement.

By the way, as I understand it, if they want to leave at the end of the contract, they don’t have to give any notice at all. Is this correct?

So they could just leave on the final day and not let me know – is it really this crazy?

Helen


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Comments

budd

11:11 AM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

There are so many crazy thinks introduced by the government.
Next thing willl be landlord have to donate the property to the tenant.

Chris Bradley

11:51 AM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

I thought it was one month notice of a rent increase which can only be given annually.
And one week's rent is £9.23 not £10.

(£40x12)/52

Jaye

11:55 AM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

Give him/ them another notice now, for May 1st but for a £50.00 increase per month.

Act swiftly before the government tells you to donate the property to them and make their beds weekly, Lol.

TheBiggerPicture

12:11 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

Stick with the April increase, but offer them the 9.23 back.

9.23 is a small price for peace but also showing you don't back down.

Mike in Worthing

12:13 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi Helen
Provided your rental agreement doesn't specify otherwise, one month's notice to increase the rent is sufficient. You cannot just write a letter to increase the rent, you must use "Form 4" (download it from government website). As Chris above says, you can only increase the rent once every 12 months.

TheBiggerPicture

12:13 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

The government has destroyed the concept of equal bargaining.

If a tenant can a provision, why can the landord not have the same provision.

Simon Lever - Chartered Accountant helping clients get the best returns from their properties

12:15 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

"... if he stays ..." ?
If there is any doubt then tell him that you will have to market the property and will require him to give access for potential new tenants to view the property.
This may focus his mind on what is important.
It does depend on what your relationship is with him.

Reluctant Landlord

12:36 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jaye at 08/02/2022 - 11:55
Agree totally. State that you have had a re-think in light of the actual increase and you will be assessing the situation in light of his response. Then Issue him now with a S13 stating rent increase date from X (in one months notice is all that is required) and it will be £50. Sounds like he is trying to hold you over a barrel. If he is really true to his word and he doesn't want to stay you can make it also clear that you will accept his notice if he offers it.

Chris H

12:57 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

I find all this very interesting, as my tenants are on 6 monthly Tenancy Agreements, I could re-issue twice yearly with an increase, to be frank with all that has gone on the last few years, I have ony raised the rent on one property in the last 3 years, and that tenant was and still is paying a low market rent, mainly because he is little bother and has lived there 30 years!
In the passed I understood it was two months notice as per as if giving notice, from a search last month on this very issue, it became clear it is now one month, not sure if the two month rule was wrong at the time or this has been updated in the last few years, It also depends on the type of Agreement and when they pay the rent weekly or monthly.
I also believe a rough cost cap increase of 5% stands, but I did not find any hard laws or regulations, just a few guidelines and the odd mention of a Court ruling.
The joys of being a private LL

SCP

13:01 PM, 8th February 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi
It seems I am the only one to take the Tenant's side.
It is not based on the law, but on my general principles. The extra hassle is "not worth pursuit."
It is better to have a good relationship.

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