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New lease and rent increase

  • 24-04-2015 1:56pm
    #1
    adocholiday
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    My partner and I have been renting a room in a 2 bed apartment for almost exactly 5 years. Last year the landlord increased the rent slightly, still keeping the rent at a very reasonable amount and below market rate because we are good tenants. He said that the rent increase would start a new lease for the next 12 months, which expires at the end of May.

    A few months ago he said that he would likely increase the rent again this year but he would get a valuation done on the place first to see what the market rate should be. Then we would sign another lease and start paying after the current one expires. To date we haven't had any further communication about this from him but now that a maintenance issue has come up that needs to be resolved I'm sure that it's going to remind him to get it done.

    Now I have no problem at all with the landlord increasing the rent. I know for sure that he could be getting a lot more for the apartment and he's entitled to do so, but too much of a hike could push us out financially. I'd be expecting a fairly substantial valuation to be honest.

    I'm just wondering where we might stand legally on an increase. Is there a limit on how much a landlord can increase rent by at any one time? What does signing a new 12 month lease mean for us? Does it negate our rights or any status obtained after the past 5 years? Would it be reasonable of us to ask for some minor maintenance to be done as a 'trade off' for the increased rent? After 5 years I don't think asking for a lick of paint and having the wooden floors reconditioned would be an unreasonable request.

    I've never really been in this situation before so I'd appreciate any advice that you might have


Comments

  • #2
    Arbiter of Good Taste
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭Arbiter of Good Taste


    The LL is entitled to raise the rent to a market rent and can only increase the rent once in a 12 month period. So he is entitled to increase the rent from the end of May.

    Personally I would see no problem in asking for some minor maintenance if you have been there for five years. From the landlord's point of view it makes good sense to keep the propert in good maintenance.

    I wouldn't be treating it as a quid pro quo situation, because the landlord is entitled to market value rent, and if you refuse to pay, he can start eviction proceedings. But just it as an opportunity to just bring it up and ask him to consider doing a few bits and pieces. If you have been good tenants, then hopefully it should not be a problem.


  • #3
    Pkiernan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,310 ✭✭✭Pkiernan


    Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »
    The LL is entitled to raise the rent to a market rent and can only increase the rent once in a 12 month period. So he is entitled to increase the rent from the end of May.

    The OP is renting a room, not a dwelling and the landlord is not bound by the rule you mention.


  • #4
    Arbiter of Good Taste
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭Arbiter of Good Taste


    Pkiernan wrote: »
    The OP is renting a room, not a dwelling and the landlord is not bound by the rule you mention.

    Oops, you're right. But presumably the owner (not a LL) is still entitled to charge a market rate


  • #5
    adocholiday
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭adocholiday


    Apologies when I said renting a room I mean we share with one other individual, not the landlord. We are all individual tenants on the lease (no sublet) and we rent the whole apartment from the landlord.

    Also I wasn't expecting a quid pro quo for maintenance but just thought it might be a bit of a trade off against a rent increase, especially if it is substantial. Would be just a few very minor jobs. Good to know that it would be reasonable to ask in any case.

    Many thanks for the replies


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