Are my rental agents pulling a fast one?

[TheRedOnion]

I've been renting a 2 bedroom flat plus garage for £600 per month since 2002, my 6 monthly tenancy was up for renewal on the 31st of January this year, the rental agents were late doing an inspection of the property but finally got around to doing it last week. Normally they're pretty good about this and my new rental agreement is usually put in the post the following day. I normally sign it the same day and sent it back to them via 1st class post. I've been waiting over a week now for them to send the documents through for me to sign but haven't seen anything. This morning I got a call from the rental agency asking how I felt about my landlord putting the rental up another £25 per month. Should they have notified me of this rental increase before my 6 month period was up?

I can afford to pay the increase but should I expect more for my money? I have several friends in the village where I live who are also renting flats similar to mine. Their rents are a bit more expensive at £650 per month but the flats are a lot more modern inside compared to mine. They all have modern laminate flooring (not that i'm a fan of it, it just looks nicer than beige and green carpets)and fairly new carpets. They also have up-to-date bathrooms complete with proper showers as well as nice kitchens.

To be honest my landlord's flat is stuck in the 80s, the furniture has that was there when I moved in has that lovely 80s veneer look. I think the colour beige was very in when this place was decorated! I have a lovely 80s caramel-coloured bathroom, no shower of any kind to speak of either. The hall carpet is starting to get frayed at the edges and the spare room has a carpet that's older than me!

Am I expecting too much, should I start asking for something in return for my dosh or should I just put up and shut up?

PS buying in my area is out of the question before anyone asks!

[eccles]

you could always call their bluff, or just say that if the rent goes up, you'd like the flat modernising a bit.
having said that, i suppose it depends on how much you like the garage, i'd have thought if its like everywhere else, garages are a little hard to come by, and if its factored into your £600 rent, that makes your flat look even cheaper.

[TheRedOnion]

eccles said:

you could always call their bluff, or just say that if the rent goes up, you'd like the flat modernising a bit. having said that, i suppose it depends on how much you like the garage, i'd have thought if its like everywhere else, garages are a little hard to come by, and if its factored into your £600 rent, that makes your flat look even cheaper.

That sounds like a plan.

We're actually quite well off around here for garages. Most houses and flats around here have purpose built garage compounds and they're reasonably secure too. I must be the only person in my road that actually uses a garage as it seems everyone elses is full of sh1t. No wonder parking is a bit mad around here!

[eccles]

in that case then i'd be tempted to call their bluff, although i'd be out checking for other properties in case they accept your offer to move to a better flat for not much more rent.

[iaint]

Definately tell them that, for the money you can move to a place that's been refurbished. List the things you put in your post and say you'll be happy with the increace once the work's done OR they can start looking for a new tennant as you'll be moving to somewhere nicer!

You might end up moving though but would probably find somewhere nicer anyway.

[B17NNS]

if you like it there say that you are happy to accept the rent increase in return for a new kitchen, bathroom, redecoration and furniture because there are lots of places available to rent with all these things for the cost of the new rent.

Your landlord has only got to have the place vacant for one month to end up worse off for the whole year. If you are a good tenant, keep the place well and pay up on time he would be a fool to let you go in this market.

[TheRedOnion]

Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated.

I will speak to the letting agents about the modernising stuff, it certainly needs it.

As for looking elsewhere, renting is at a premium where I am to try and find somewhere else. There is another flat going around the corner from me for about £650 (without garage) but it's above a parade of shops where the local p1kies like to hang out. I also used to live in the next block along so I don't really want to go back there. Apart from the modernising bit my flat is better than most, it's quite secluded and really quiet. I have great neighbours, most of whom I know quite well. My mates live round the corner and the pub's a five minute walk away. I guess we can't have everything.

[Pickled Piper]

It sounds like you are on a good deal and the rise will not make it unequitable. No harm in trying to get some improvements out of it though. I doubt the Landlord will gut the place and refit the bathroom and kitchen just becasue you ask him to or because you threaten to leave. I wold have a chat with the agents and suggest that the Landlord puts in a shower or replaces the flooring.

pp

ps I am a Landlord

[TheRedOnion]

Pickled Piper said:

It sounds like you are on a good deal and the rise will not make it unequitable. No harm in trying to get some improvements out of it though. I doubt the Landlord will gut the place and refit the bathroom and kitchen just becasue you ask him to or because you threaten to leave. I wold have a chat with the agents and suggest that the Landlord puts in a shower or replaces the flooring. pp ps I am a Landlord

Thats sounds perfectly reasonable. I like to think I'm a good tenant, in fact I've hardly ever troubled the agency apart from when the washing machine went on the blink a couple of years ago. I like to keep the place in good order seeing as it's not my place.

I don't think there's any need to gut the place, it just needs livening up a bit. The furniture that is there must range from about ten to twenty years old at least. I can live with kitchen, it's in good condition with loads of units so no moans there. The carpets could do with a revamp in the hallway and spare room though, I think they've had more than their fair share of wear and tear. I could certainly do with a shower too (not that I don't wash or anything like that!), nothing fancy though. I'll give the agents a call to see if we can sort something out.

Thanks again.

[Wildfire]

Also check your tennancy agreement. There is usually a maximum that they can increase your rent by each year. A mate of mine's landlord tried to hike his rent by £75 a month which was around a 11% increase of somthing. I think his tennancy agreement only spitulate a 6.5% increase per year.

[DanL]

How do you feel about an increase in rent? You don't like the idea, is how you feel.

Last time I was renting and the landlord (via agent) mentioned that they thought the rental rates had risen over the last year in the area, and that they'd like to increase my rent. I countered by suggesting that the rates had, in fact, fallen due to increased competition from buy to lets. Oddly, they decided they'd keep my rent the same.

Also - does anyone actually pay the rate that places are advertised at? If you can move in ASAP it should be reasonably easy to get £50/month off the rental of a vacant property.

Dan

Edit: typos.

>> Edited by DanL on Tuesday 14th February 15:25

[Wildfire]

DanL said:

Also - does anyone actually pay the rate that places are advertised at? If you can move in ASAP it should be reasonably easy to get £50/month off the rental of a vacant property. Dan

Hmmmmm interesting... I am actually looking for a place at the moment. Hence the possibility of a car change.

[Pickled Piper]

DanL said:

Also - does anyone actually pay the rate that places are advertised at? If you can move in ASAP it should be reasonably easy to get £50/month off the rental of a vacant property. Dan

Most things in life are negotiable providing both parties want them enough.

pp