landlord tenant query

MikeCairo78

Hi All

A quick one for those that might know – we moved into our current house on 1 year lease in February 2015.
We have received email today stating that landlord and letting agent will be coming to the house for inspection next week. No problem there.
However in the same mail the letting agent says the purpose of the visit is to see if there are any outstanding issues and also a rent review.
My understanding is that the rent cannot be reviewed for 24months after we signed the lease in February 2015 – is my understanding of this correct ?
Also, I have an inkling that the real purpose is to inspect and then inform us that they intend to sell the house – since we have been there since Feb 2015 how much notice is required to be given in this respect.
The lease expired in Feb 2016, and despite requests on our part, no new lease has been forthcoming.
Any advice would be appreciated.

emeldc

From citizens advice:

A rent review can result in an increase or reduction of the rent. With effect from 4 December 2015, your landlord has the right to review the rent once every 2 years (increased from 1 year). Unless the accommodation has changed substantially, it cannot be reviewed more often than this.

Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, the following rules apply from 4 December 2015:

Your rent cannot be increased until 24 months after the start of your tenancy
If your rent was reviewed at any time in the last 24 months, it cannot be reviewed again until 24 months after the date of the last review
Your landlord must give you proper notice of the amount of the proposed new rent and the date from which it is to take effect. The notice must be in writing, in a form that meets the requirements of legislation. Emails, text messages and spoken messages are not valid forms of notice. With effect from 4 December 2015, you must get at least 90 days’ notice (increased from 28 days).

The landlord must also notify the PRTB of the revised rent.

webpal

So any tenancy agreements prior to 4 December 2015 are not subject to this, is that correct?

JustShon

webpal wrote: »

So any tenancy agreements prior to 4 December 2015 are not subject to this, is that correct?

No, the rule applies to existing tenancy agreements.

emeldc

webpal wrote: »

So any tenancy agreements prior to 4 December 2015 are not subject to this, is that correct?

If your rent was reviewed at any time in the last 24 months, it cannot be reviewed again until 24 months after the date of the last review

The OP's rent was agreed in Feb '15, so it stands until Feb '17.

MikeCairo78

Many thanks for that lads. Much appreciated.

CiboC

You also have part 4 tenancy rights, you should make yourself familiar with them.