30% increase in rent

A

Anony-mousse

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
2,360
Reaction score
38
Location
PRY
My rental agreement was signed for 1 year on the 1st of November 2009. Now I have just received an email informing me that the landlord got an offer for x amount but he gives me first option to match this price since he is very happy to have a person like me as a tenant, however, that obviously doesn't prevent him from bleeding me white.

So for me that means a rental increase of 30%.

Is there anything I can do or do I just have to either move out or cave in.
 
Well you can read over your rental agreement and see what it says. What you can and cannot do will depend on what your contract says.
 
The contract was for one year. In that time
he can't change the rent until November. At
least he's giving you lots of notice. 30% seems
a lot, so I hope you got something more, like
free DSTV, a new swimming pool or a dish-
washer?
 
bullfrog said:
Well you can read over your rental agreement and see what it says. What you can and cannot do will depend on what your contract says.
Click to expand...

waiting for the agreement to be sent to me

GingerBeer said:
The contract was for one year. In that time
he can't change the rent until November. At
least he's giving you lots of notice. 30% seems
a lot, so I hope you got something more, like
free DSTV, a new swimming pool or a dish-
washer?
Click to expand...

nope. nothing
 
tell him he needs to give you one month notice prior to the contract expiring.

does the 30% increase put the property at market rate? Or above it?

If I had a tenant with a year contract, and its expiring, I don't see how he can do anything about me wanting to up the rent to what-ever amount - if he doesn't like it, I'll just give him notice.
 
1. Do some research, looking for an alternative option to rent a similar place in the area of your choice.
2. Make an alternative offer once you have done your research.
 
xrapidx said:
tell him he needs to give you one month notice prior to the contract expiring.

does the 30% increase put the property at market rate? Or above it?

If I had a tenant with a year contract, and its expiring, I don't see how he can do anything about me wanting to up the rent to what-ever amount - if he doesn't like it, I'll just give him notice.
Click to expand...

does that mean that an escalation rate in the contract is only valid if the landlord feels like extending the agreement?
 
davemc said:
1. Do some research, looking for an alternative option to rent a similar place in the area of your choice.
2. Make an alternative offer once you have done your research.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately there is nothing alternative. I know I got a good price last year but if I would have known that he will increase the rent by 30% after 1 year (I would have expected 10%) then I would have thought about taking it in the first place.
 
Unless stated otherwise in your contract, it's a free market system.
EDIT: Your only immediate bargaining point is that you are a proven "safe" renter, and as such that it definitely worth a discount, and person renting out to to the public knows the value of a "safe" renter is much higher than an unknown one.
The opening negotiation is for a 30% increase, but you will most likely be able to negotiate that down to 15%.
 
Last edited:
Anony-mousse said:
does that mean that an escalation rate in the contract is only valid if the landlord feels like extending the agreement?
Click to expand...

Most contracts have a clause saying that after the contract expires, you'll be on a month to month contract.

So the landlord could say, new rent is 30% more after the contract ends. He's telling you 3 months before contract ends, so technically he's already giving you notice.
 
davemc said:
Unless stated otherwise in your contract, it's a free market system.
EDIT: Your only immediate bargaining point is that you are a proven "safe" renter, and as such that it definitely worth a discount, and person renting out to to the public knows the value of a "safe" renter is much higher than an unknown one.
The opening negotiation is for a 30% increase, but you will most likely be able to negotiate that down to 15%.
Click to expand...

I'll offer him 15% increase. I don't want to afford more tbh. For that amount of rent I rather move to CPT or Durban.

just received the agreement. it doesn't say anything about escalation, so I can just try if he accepts 15% increase or move out... **** that.
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't say its ethical what he's doing - but I do think he's allowed too.
 
Maybe your landlord is taking a chance so that he extort more money out of you? I agree with previous, offer 15% take-it-or-leave-it.
 
xrapidx said:
I wouldn't say its ethical what he's doing - but I do think he's allowed too.
Click to expand...

I agree, I thought the same. He should be happy that someone is talking so good care of his place and credit this at lease a tiny bit.

ajax said:
Maybe your landlord is taking a chance so that he extort more money out of you? I agree with previous, offer 15% take-it-or-leave-it.
Click to expand...

Maybe. It actually showed during the last year that it is not that easy to let such a place like this. People don't have money anymore (including me ;-)), everything's getting very expensive... salaries stay the same... I guess I need another business.

At least I have a reason now to follow my other idea. Living here prevented me from going that route.
 
Maybe he just wants to clear you out of the place so that he can sell it, or ask a newer tennant for more rent.
 
First of all, when it comes to bidding. You never offer your highest price. What you need to do is have a back-up...you start with 5% increase, if he says no, you move to 10%, and say it is final. If he then says NO and actually means it and you ACTUALLY want to keep fighting to stay at this place, then you offer 13%, and as the convo goes, you say something like, "look ok ok, ill give 14-15 increase how bout it".

YOU never offer someone your ace card, NEVER. This guy sounds like he likes that you pay on time, every time and just wants a bit more money to pay for that mweb uncapped coming out soon for his kids.

Ya...I think like THAT.
 
My rent just went up 10%- even that feels like a lot. :o

It was in the contract that rent would increase by 10% annually- you say there is no mention of an increase in your agreement?

How long have you been renting there, and what were the increases in the past? If you've managed to avoid an increase so far, perhaps the 30% is fair. Still, it sounds like the landlord is trying his luck.

If you're prepared to move, call his bluff and offer something reasonable. 10-15%. See what he says. If moving isn't an option (whatever the reason) look at a formal complaint.

Getting a renter out can be damn difficult; the law is on your side.
 
Vacancy rates are pretty high atm. I'd be surprised if anyone rocks up with a 30% increase out of the blue.

Since he hasn't increased your rent for 1 year, about 7% of that 30% is just plain inflation.

Yeah 15% plan sounds good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X