Commercial Property Rent Increase

[Ajnicho]

Good morning

I've been having an issue with my previous landlord for some time now and back in November 2018 my rent was due for review and was to increase from £400/month to £627/month.
At that time I advised the property manager and the landlord that because of the problems I had been experiencing (too much to go in to here), I felt the rent increase was unjustified and that if it was to be increased I would be handing in my notice.

At that time, it was agreed verbally by all parties that the rent would remain at £400/month until such time as my complaints had been addressed. The only evidence I have of this is a spreadsheet they emailed me of a breakdown of my rent and payments made to them. It clearly states £1200 a quarter (£400/month)

These issues continued and the landlord never came back to me and as such in July I handed in my notice.

Now that I have left, the Landlord is demanding that I owe him back rent, dating back to November for increased rent amount of £627/month as it is stipulated in my contract my rent would increase in November, despite the fact that it was agreed and I was subsequently billed at the rate of £400/month. (they are saying this was an error)

The question is, am I within my rights to say that if they are demanding rent be back paid at the full amount of £627/month should they either:

a) accept my 3 months notice from November 2018 when I informed that of my intention to leave if rent was to be increased
or, b) accept that as it was agreed by all parties, that they should not retrospectively charge the higher rent rate.

Many thanks for the assistance

 

[Noah]

I am not a lawyer, but this seems clear-cut. I suggest you refer them to the reply in the case of Arkell v. Pressdram.

If they are serious about extracting this trivial amount, they will see you in court - in which event, you should re-assess your commitment to fairness and justice.

 

[Mr D]

So your written notice is for the higher amount. Anything written for lower amount?

 

[Ajnicho]

My contract states £400/month with a rent review in November 2018, increasing to £627/month.

It was agreed verbally that rent would remain at £400/month whilst issues were being resolved. The only evidence of this is a copy of their accounts spreadsheet that they sent me, which shows rent continued at £400/month up until I left.

 

[Ajnicho]

Noah

There were other charges they were demanding such as service charges, but none of the services specified in my contract were actually carried out by them so they eventually dropped those charges.