I would appreciate some help. I have called both Citizens advice and Shelter and both lines say that they cannot take calls, dont know why.
I have been renting and my landlord sold the property. The new landlord took over, I have already paid him ones months rent. He now wants me to sign a new contract with an increased rent. I said that he has to give me 2 months notice, he says he doesn’t because it’s a new contract.
I haven’t specifically found online something that says that if it is a new contract they dont have to give notice. Any advice?
He doesn’t need to give you notice to offer a new contract, but you are under no obligation to sign. You are free to tell him you would like to stick with the existing tenancy/rent. From the 12 month anniversary of the start of the tenancy or the last rent increase, he can increase the rent with a s13 notice.
Your new landlord has bought a rental property as a going concern, meaning he takes on the existing tenancy and all it’s terms as they stand. He can offer you a new tenancy although you do not have to except it. If you don’t accept it he will have to increase the rent using a Section 13 form 4A which requires the rent increase to be at least 12 months after the last rent increase and will be required to give you two months notice.
If you do not except the new tenancy agreement the landlord will have to raise the rent under the existing tenancy which will require them to serve a Section 13 notice giving 2 months notice. You will have this in writing if the previous landlord served you with a document in May, called TheGovernment Information Sheet. This document converts your existing tenancy to the new Renters Rights Act compliant tenancy.
If you sign new contract he can set rent at whatever you both agree, it’s not a rent increase
If you dont sign new contract existing tenancy agreement continues he has to give you 2 month notice of a rent increase using a ‘section 13’ form. He can’t charge you extra rent meanwhile.
Here’s the guidance
It’s not awkward it tells the LL you know your rights and can’t be bullied into signing a new contract. Either way it’s a good opportunity for you to talk to new LL, remind him you are a good tenant who pays on time and maintains the property well, and raise any issues you may have. You may want to check when LL plans next GSR/Boiler service, and indicate if you always want to be present if tradesmen are visiting, as well as agreeing a schedule/frequency for inspection visits.
If you’ve had no rent increase since you moved in, the new landlord can increase it now with a s13 notice under the existing tenancy. Up to you whether you go with a new contract or the s13 route. Either way you are entitled to challenge the increase if you think it’s above market rent. Thats not the same thing as if you think you can’t afford it though. If he proposes a market rent but you cant pay it, you may want to look for something more affordable now rather than get into a protracted battle that you would lose and destroy your reputation as a good tenant.