Council warning about rent increases...

Coventry City Council is reminding tenants to know their rights when faced with sudden rent increases

​The Council's housing enforcement team is seeing more complaints from tenants about rent increases and wants them to get in touch if they need advice or support.

Adrian Chowns, Property Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager, said: "We are letting tenants know that a Landlord can only increase the rent once per year by either issuing a section 13 notice or giving an extended fixed term contract.

"In both cases the tenant can refuse and in the case of the section 13 notice, can appeal."

Tenants are being advised not to pay increased rents if they have not received the appropriate paperwork and to contact the Council as soon as a rent increase is suggested.

Adrian added: "If people have any concerns that they are being forced into a rent increase we want people to get in touch straight away. We'll take the time to look at their circumstances and check for all of the relevant paperwork."

He added: "In some cases landlords are giving tenants the ultimatum to pay the increased rent or be evicted. This is wrong. We want to support tenants as much as possible."

The council is reminding tenants that in order to be legally evicted a landlord must serve them with a valid notice and then, if needs be, obtain a possession order from the court.

Tenancies do not automatically end at the end of a fixed term.

Anyone who feels that they may be being illegally evicted, harassed or wants advice around rent increases by their landlord can contact the Council at housing.enforcement@coventry.gov.uk

Adrian said: "People faced with the threat of eviction and homelessness is a daunting prospect. We know the impact this has on individuals and families."

In one case the landlord attempted to increase the rent by 100 per cent, although typically it's a much smaller percentage.

Published: Wednesday, 5th April 2023