Here is a problem submitted to the Blog Clinic by Yassar who is a tenant
Hi my name is Yassar, I would be grateful if you could advise me on a issue which i have.
I am six months into a twelve month fixed term contract, the contract is with a letting agent. They have written to me stating the rent will go up in january, the contract states a fixed amount gor twelve months.
I would like to know if they have broken the contract and if I’m within my rights to leave the property. No where in the contract does it state the landlord can put the rent up before the twelve months is up. Thank you for your help.
Hi Yassar. If the tenancy agreement does not authorise it, your landlord is not entitled to increase your rent before the end of the fixed term.
During the fixed term the rent can only be increased if there is a rent review clause or if you agree to the increase.
If your landlord purports to increase the rent in some other way, it will not entitle you to leave the property. However as the rent increase will be invalid you can carry on paying the old rent. Indeed you should, as if you pay the new rent you may be deemed to have agreed to it.
If your landlord puts you under pressure to pay the ‘new’ rent, this will be harassment and you can complain about this to your Local Authority Housing Officer.
Are you a landlord? 
