Urgent help needed! Rent increase

[Warrior06]

Hi,

The situation is the following:

I rent a flat since February 2007 in Chelsea. In July 2007 the landlord sold the flat to another person, which did not impact me so far.

My contract was a 6 months minimum contract, with a 2 months notice for either the Landlord or the tenant if someone wanted to break it. The contract has not changed.

This morning, I got a call from the new landlord asking for a rent increase as they had to pay a 10% "introduction" fee when they bought the flat. In addition, the real estate agency told them that a rate increase would be fair. She is telling me that the contract is expiring (?) and that a new one will have to be created so she wants an answer quickly.

However, I do not see why I should finance this 10% fee and I do not see why I should have a rent increase while house prices are going down in the UK!

What are my rights? What kind of precision do you need? Can I refuse the rent increase? I feel ok in the flat but there are things not working preperly such as the shower and the heating system. IT's a two bedroom flat.

MAny thanks for your help,


W.

[shywazz]

Whether the increase is to cover the landlord fees or not, is not the point here....
Rent for propertys go up at most time every year, this cover the landlords costs to keep the flat in good order etc
Your currant rent payment was arranged by the pervious owner, since the property has now changed hands, the new owner can increase rent payments given the time scale as per your agreement, since the rental contract is near to expire, it would be your choice too accept the new terms/rent etc before signing....
If you owned the flat and your costs of running such out priced the rent you charged whom would you pass the differance onto...correct the person renting the property....you have the opition to move or accept the new term of renting from this new owner...

[MrShed]

Agreed.

- House prices, despite much media coverage, are not falling on the whole in the UK, and certainly arent in areas like London.
- This is irrelevant to the rent increase anyway.
- You can refuse the rent increase, however by doing so you are almost certainly ensuring that you will be evicted at the end of your current contract term.