We have lived in our rented property since jan 2012

1 year contract , now a periodic (I think thats what its called).

My LL informed us a few months back that our rent would be going up from sept 2014, since LL informed us the rent prices have constantly changed one minutes its 685 then its 650 , but today I have been informed that its now 646 a month from tomorrows date.

We pay rent weekly as requested by SO and its at the original amount from 2012.

We havent had a new tenancy agreement to sign which from what I understand we have too. Also we dont have a rent book either.

As our rent increase is from tomorrow we have to make the first payment by 12 oct and this is what confuses me our rent is paid weekly so its paid in advance Yes so if our rent increase starts tomorrow why do we pay by the 12 oct?

On our tenancy agreement it states deposit paid but LL says its not deposit its for the last months rent can any one try and explain whats going on and if it states deposit is it deposit

Many thanks

Hi Leigh

If your agreement has a clause about increasing the rent then yes it can be done but normally it will specify that they have to give 1 months notice, some specify how often and by how much the rent can be increased. That would, I think explain as to why the rent doesn't increase until 12th OCT. As for the deposit, what does the contract say? It is usually a security deposit but if the landlord says it is for the last month then for a month you would not need to pay rent. It may be worth checking just how much rent you have actually paid to see where you stand on that.

I am on HB so pay my LL every two weeks and I keep a little spreadsheet on my pc of when the rent is due, how much I've paid and if i am in arrears or ahead

Hi fletch

Im not in arrears with rent we dont get chance to be hubby gets paid on a friday and rent goes straight out with out us even seeing it.

But my thing is as we pay weekly the rent increase should be from oct not from tomorrow as LL has stated.

They are doing the rent on a monthly not a weekly.

So this is the confusion rent goes up from tomorrow so really I should pay new rent value next friday but we have been told to pay by the 12 oct which is a sunday but I have read rent has to be paid the same day as when first tenancy started.

I havent got a problem paying the new rent im trying to work out why it goes up tomorrow but we dont pay until

Oct.

And dont we need a new tenancy agreement? And because we pay weekly we are meant to have a rent book but dont.

On the original tenancy it states deposit and nothing about the final month payment.

You really need to talk to someone like shelter.

On the contract is the rent to be paid monthly?

If so and the LL is letting you pay weekly I do not think the rent book is relevant. If your original agreement was a standard AST then no you do not need a new agreement if there is a clause for reviewing the rent in it

Hi fletch.

No it states rent to be paid weekly and the LL said we will have a new tenancy agreement. Thars why I have said about a rent book and new tenancy agreement.

But from what I have read because we are on a periodic tenancy and the rent has gone up we have to have a new tenancy agreement as its a new contract at new values!!

I will try and ring shelter tomorrow but I will see if I get a reply from LL first to see if he can explain whats going on.

One more question tho is rent increase notification allowed by email or does it have to be written on paper?

This is just a theory, but if the rent goes up from 12th oct and you have to pay a month in advance, then you need to start paying from sept 12th to make sure you're a full month in advance for the new rent by 12th oct. Hope that makes sense!!

I'm not commenting on whether the LL can or can't expect this of you, but I think it's probably the logic.

Hi caro

Thats the thing the rent increase starts from Tomorrow but the first payment is due for oct we dont pay monthly its weekly we pay, thats why its confusing.

As I have already said if the rent increase is from tomorrow 12 sept shouldnt the first rent payment be either from tomorrows date or next friday not oct .

I cant even say that they have given me one months notice for the increasement because its due to take effect from tomorrow, as we pay weekly wont we be in rent arrears if we continue to pay the original amount until the oct date? As thats when they want it paid but its like they are working it on a monthly payment and not a weekly payment

Oh I am confused lol

Do you pay weekly because your husband is paid weekly so it's more convenient or because that's what is in the tenancy agreement?

I'm no expert. Just trying to work it out.

Fletch makes a good point about contacting Shelter.

Thats how they prefer rent to be paid and its in the tenancy agreement aswell.

Where is the deposit held?

That is unknown Caro, it states on the tenancy agreement from 2012 ( when we moved in) deposit xxx amount paid but they are verbally saying its not a deposit but for the last months rent if we decide to move out!!

That seems wrong to me. Do you deal with LL direct or is there an agent?

Deal with his property manager but shes hopeless, I can contact him as he is approachable but he will probably say deal with her, but you never get a straight answer from her and she ends up giving confusing answers.

I've moved your thread to the lettings forum where you'll get more informed advice.

Thanks caro this is so confusing !!!

Caro's advice about advance rent is not helping either.

Rent is only due for specified rental period on day mentioned in AST (1st day of rental period for advance rent,last day of rental period for rent in arrears.)

Weekly rent no longer requires a separate Rent book, provided the AST contains the Stat Info contained on the inside front cover of a rent book.

Notice of rent increase should allow 30 days before implemention to allow for poss referral to local First Tier Tribunal of rent assessment committee of VOA.

If you accept new rent as reasonable, then pay it on 12th Sept, as per LLs initial notication several months ago.

Given your apparent confusion over new amount due, I doubt he will be upset if first payment doesn't arrive til Tue 16th.

IMO, if rent is payable weekly, he should have expressed the new rent as £x/wk rather than £/pcm, as there are 12 cal months/yr but 52 wks, so £150/wk equate to £650 pcm. (£150x52/12) or £7800 pa for both.

How does your new rent equate?

Hi mariner.

Our current rent is 600 a month but we pay 150 weekly as requested by LL.

Our T.A is a standard one so what is the STAT info?

They want the first new rent by 12 oct even tho my rent goes up from today, so wont we be in arrears or something?

well if your rent is £600 per month = £7200 P/a

you pay £150 per week = £7800 P/a

you have already paid 1 month extra for each year you have been there.....

If you agree with the rent rise, then pay it, and it becomes legal. If you don't, don't pay it and talk to the LL about it.

IMO a months rent held for last months rent IS a deposit and should be protected, but could be wrong here.

I think you're right ray. It also appears too much rent has been paid.

Thanks for that ray will try and find out if it is.

Well I emailed The property manager and basically she isnt answering my questions just keeps replying that 161 a week is the confirmed new rent!! And I must inform her when we change the SO amount.

the only way they can increase the rent is 1. they ask for it and you pay it, 2. they issue S13 form, which gives you your rights etc. and min one months notice, 3. ask you to sign a new contract with the new rent on it.

It should be borne in mind that if you do not agree they can serve an S21 notice for repossession with a minimum of two months notice.

Without issuing an S13 or new contract you are not bound to pay any extra unless you agree to it. i.e. letter or email asking for new rent is illegal!!!

Since OP will not type rel sections of AST, as written, we can only remain as confused as he appears to be.

Mariner

You havent asked for the rel sections of AST what is you want know from it pls.

Email recieved today threatening me with a £40 charge if I dont confirm my contact details, do I legally have to give them my contact details, they know the address and my email address.

When first told rent was going up they stated a new tenancy agreement now they are threatening me with a charge of 125.00 for it.