UK Landlord Forum / Life

Not sure where to begin with this, but I am at my wits end, worried sick. I suffer depression with a history of suicide attempts, everything going on is seriously effecting my ability to keep my head above water.

I am in private rented accommodation through a letting agent. My tenancy started in Feb 2011, I paid a month in advance, a months deposit and an extra month in advance due to being a pet owner. The rent was £650pcm.

I had to have a guarantor also, but as my initial guarantor only earned about 19k a year, a second guarantor was required. Both guarantors signed relevant paperwork on start of tenancy.

I am on Housing benefits as disabled, unable to work due to mobility and mental health.

My first agreement was for 6 months.
After 6 months I had to pay £45 + Vat to renew for a year, guarantors not asked to do anything, no mention of them.

I am now coming to my 3rd year of tenancy (Feb 19th), having renewed previously for 18 months and more renewal fees.

I have never caused any issue and my rent has always been paid in full and on or before time.

This time I was contacted regarding renewing, apparently landlord apply to renew for 12 months at same rent of £650, which is a lot for what property is. I then requested 18 months, this was declined, I asked why, then told they wanted to increase by £25 a month, to which I stated I could not afford, letting agent quoted "I am sure they will agree on £15.

Thereafter a lot of moving goalposts by letting agent, below is email correspondence, ** = from letting agent also in bold, @@=from me:

14/01/2014:
**We informed the landlords that you asked for an 18 month tenancy, but it is their decision to offer a 12 month tenancy only.

They have not indicated any rental increase for this period.

14/01/2014
@@ I asked Manager to deal with the matter

15/01/2014
**I wonder if you would be good enough to call me on my mobile, which is *********, when possible.

After phone conversation between letting agent and I, a £15 per month increase proposed, and as shown below, agreed by Landlord

**17/01/2014
The landlord will do either a 6 month only tenancy with no rent increase or an eighteen month tenancy with an immediate increase of £15pcm effective 19th February 2014.
Please advise which option you will take so I can arrange to have the necessary tenancy agreement mailed to you.


**20/01/2014
The landlord will not enter into a 12 month tenancy without an increase.  She is still happy to do an 18 month tenancy but either way is looking for the increase of £25 pcm.

@@Noting the above, No Increase, then £15pcm increase, then £25pcm increase, it is easy to see why I am not happy, the goalposts moved 3 times in less than a week, this is far from being fair.
The only affordable option I have is that of the email you sent
17/01/2014, 18 months with £15pcm increase with immediate effect.

**20/01/2014 Our landlord is happy to do the 18 month contract but does want the increase and will accept the £15 pcm as discussed.

I await your advice.

**24/01/2014 I can confirm receipt of your previous email and a tenancy agreement will be sent to you once we have received your renewal fee of £54.

I paid the renewal fee and was expecting my tenancy agreement.

27/01/2014  **Thank you I will ensure the documents are sent to you asap.

then I get another email:

04/02/2014 **Thank you for the payment of your renewal fee.

To enable me to forward your renewed tenancy agreement please can you provide the email address for your two guarantors; ****** ****** and ******* *********, as they too will need to be sent the documents for signing to confirm their agreement to continue standing as guarantors on your tenancy.

I trust this is satisfactory to you, however should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am astounded, My Guarantors only ever signed one agreement when I first moved here, why asking again now? I face a major hurdle, I have one Guarantor that will support me, but unfortunately the second lost their job so cant do it, I have no other options for a replacement guarantor.

I am stressing so much, feel as if my future here is in jeopardy, which is effecting my mental state, what with this and other personal issues. I have searched high and low for alternative accommodation but to no avail, I am on the housing register as a high priority, with bidding number etc, but severe shortage of suitable properties, thus far nothing has become available.

Any help greatly appreciated

It doesn't really seem they are being particularly unreasonable mate.

You do need advice.

Go to the CAB, local council and or free legal surgeries held at local Solicitors.

But don't worry about it, it will be fine.

If you are not feeling well, go to your doctors as well.

Good Luck.

Hope everything works out.  Guarantors I feel should be for the short term where you don't know if the tenant will be a good payer or not.  3 years down the line the landlord should be cutting some slack if rent has been paid on time throughout that period.   Just my 2p worth.

Such a long initial post and never to be seen again.

Stan?

That Stan comment was amusing