Paul and Sesilia tell their story of fighting their rent hike!
In September, we were given notice of a rent increase, and found ourselves in a tight spot like many tenants across the country.
We found ourselves faced with a 10% rent increase! This just 6 months after being made to pay two months rent upfront (in addition to the deposit) because the landlord and letting agent weren't sure we could afford the rent as it was.
Considering that the rent increase was significantly above both CPI and CPHI inflation at the time the notice was received (and over the duration of the tenancy) and lack of any improvements made to the property, we decided to contact Living Rent for the first time and promptly joined our union.
Having spoken to Niamh (the local organiser for our branch) and establishing what our choices were, we elected to exert our rights and challenge the rent increase through referring it to the Rent Officer to adjudicate. With Living Rent at our side we also offered to negotiate with the landlord. We proposed to start from 2.6% (the inflation figure at the time). Unfortunately, the letting agent refused to entertain a negotiation on the basis of having started the rent adjudication process. Not having the chance to negotiate worried us as we believed it would be our best bet to fight the increase as the few (expensive) properties on the market in the area at the time made us think that the Rent Officer would adjudicate in line with the proposed increase. However, we were extremely surprised to learn during the Rent Officer's quick inspection (which also functioned as a nerve racking first meeting with our landlord) that they considered rents over the past year which gave us a glimmer of hope.
Within the week we had received the Rent Officer's provisional decision. A 3.5% increase. Compared to the 10% which was proposed, and the fact that we had proposed to start negotiations at 2.6%, we were ecstatic but we still had to nervously wait another two weeks for the time in which the landlord (or ourselves) could appeal. Eventually, the final decision came through. No change and no appeal. The landlord will have another two weeks to appeal (this time to the First-tier Tribunal rather than to the Rent Officer themselves) but we are very pleased with how the Rent Officer's adjudication went.
We are incredibly grateful for the support Living Rent was able to provide. From making our options clear and straightforward, to understanding and being patient with us when the stress was beginning to mount, and offering to accompany us during the Rent Officer's inspection. Our only regret is that we wish we had joined our union sooner!
