Tenant refused rent increase and now arguing deposit issue?

Tenant refused rent increase and now arguing deposit issue?

by Readers Question

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0:02 AM, 26th June 2024, About A week ago 14

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I had a new tenant on Universal Credit in September 2000. He accepted a rent increase of £200 in September 2022, which was not signed. He remained on the rollover periodic AST and paid this increased rent for one year.

Due to the current economic and market situation, the market rent value has increased by around £600-800 in the area. I suggested he consider increasing the rent by £200 in September 2023. He refused to accept my opinion and became arrogant in his behaviour toward me on the phone calls. I sent him a Section 21 Notice in October 2023, but he then started paying rent at the initial amount for the year 2000.

A court hearing came up in April 2024 for just 10 minutes due to a tenant’s objection to the estate agent for not receiving the gas safe certificate and how to rent to guide in the year 2000. The estate agent sent me an email stating that he provided both documents to the tenant in hand before he moved in.

The tenant’s second objection was that he paid deposit money, which was put on rent terms of 2 rent advances before moving in, followed by rent every month. The word deposit is not mentioned in the AST. This arrangement was explained to the tenant by the estate agent and me before signing the AST. I am still waiting for the court hearing and would appreciate everyone’s help with the following questions:

1. From July, a new Labour government will abolish Section 21 from day one. Would it apply to my case or not?

2. How detrimental is the tenant’s deposit issue to me? I returned his one advance rent before raising the Section 21 Notice to his bank account, and he accepted it.

3. Does the Estate agent’s witness statement carry any legal weight in my favour at the hearing?

Many Thanks

Ali


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Comments

A fedup landlord

22:32 PM, 27th June 2024, About 6 days ago

You have to have tenants deposit protected and give them prescribed information if they have paid any deposit to you within 30 days of deposit being paid, otherwise you won't be able to use sec21 to evict them.

I also seem to read somewhere that you can only increase 5%,of your rent in any year. £200 per month seems a lot more than 5%

G Master

10:30 AM, 28th June 2024, About 6 days ago

Reply to the comment left by DPT at 26/06/2024 - 16:10
I am not sure if the two month's advance rent is seen as one month rent and one month deposit; especially when the word deposit is not mentioned anywhere.

Having said that, since all the laws favour tenants without any due consideration to the landlords, it would be hard to prove that the tenant is wrong.

Either way, it appears that the tenant has now started taking legal advice.

Karl

9:23 AM, 29th June 2024, About 5 days ago

Reply to the comment left by A fedup landlord at 27/06/2024 - 22:32
"I also seem to read somewhere that you can only increase 5%,of your rent in any year. £200 per month seems a lot more than 5%"

This is certainly not the case. There is no legal limit on rent increases.

clarkydaz

17:56 PM, 1st July 2024, About 2 days ago

Surely there was proof the gas etc was served, like a declaration of them receiving it. Giving it to them is nothing without proof

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