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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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14/08/2012 10:16:03
Just got off the phone with RERA and they say the online calculator is absolutely correct, to tell the landlord that he can't raise the rent while mentioning RERA (we already did and will again using some of Tiki's points about it being unacceptable and that laws are to protect both parties), wait a week, then come down to RERA and open a case. Very nice and helpful. 
I've had some outside advice to negotiate with him, however, I don't want to do this then worry about how much he will try to get next year when it's illegal for him to ask for anything at all!
And part of me does believe we got a good deal on the place and I think we're about 20% below average (where the cutoff for rent increase is 26% but even then, we'd only be entitled to a 5% increase!). I just need to quit feeling guilty, because you're right, Aryanwynn, he isn't our "friend."
Jesspm, I could be wrong but I don't think they can increase for any reason whatsoever. And I'm pretty sure that even if they could, they would have had to give you a 90 day notice.
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jesspm
Posts 511
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14/08/2012 09:30:38
On the maintenance fees, my contract for my second year has just arrived with an extra maintenance and admin fee ontop of it.
I can't find anything relating to whether they can do this within a two year window, especially as one of the common areas (the pool) is not maintained to an acceptable standard.
thoughts?
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Aryanwynn
Posts 1921
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14/08/2012 09:25:29
Floridagirl if your LL is in the right then he needn't be afraid of the "law" or of your contacting RERA. And you are perfectly within your rights to check terms with them, this does not mean you are "unfriendly" and even if you are, so what (sounds like emotional manipulation to me)? He's your LL not a friend. So long as you are both abiding by the terms of the law and agreement there shouldn't be a dispute. It is not so easy to find tenants nowadays and he may just be calling your bluff. I am sure RERA will give you a quick easy answer to your questions. Hope it goes your way.
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Beebers
Posts 2906
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14/08/2012 06:31:47
At least our LL was kind enough to pretend he was moving in our unit when he raised our rent 8%. We researched units in our building, and while our first year's rent was on the low end of the going market rate, we had so little time to find something else, and couldn't--not with this finish out or this view. After adding agency fees and a new deposit, if we moved, we would have come out the same as paying his increase, and I doubt we would have liked our place as much. Clever move on his part. Sorry Floridagirl. In the end, we just decided it wasn't worth it, but we are already looking at new buildings for the move next year because our LL isn't as nice as yours; he owed DEWA money before we moved in that we had to pay, and Emaar knocks on our door frequently because he owes them money!
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Cornish Pixie
Posts 5497
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14/08/2012 05:26:39
Tiki wrote:
Also, you could explain to him that, by the time he rent again the house, and deduct the agency fees, he will end up earning less money with a new contract of 115 000 dhs (new tenants) than renewing your contract for 100 000 dhs.
Sadly this isn't altogether accurate as the tenant pays the agent here 
I have to say I am sick to the back teeth with both landlords and agents, what happens to them in Ramadan and the summer generally? They seem to grow 2 heads.
edited by Cornish Pixie on 14/08/2012
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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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13/08/2012 22:03:54
Thank you!
This would be so much easier if he was a jerk to begin with. It just boggles my mind that he thinks the law doesn't apply just because he's friendly.
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Tiki
Posts 1022
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13/08/2012 21:59:00
Also, you could explain to him that, by the time he rent again the house, and deduct the agency fees, he will end up earning less money with a new contract of 115 000 dhs (new tenants) than renewing your contract for 100 000 dhs.
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Tiki
Posts 1022
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13/08/2012 21:51:37
Something that worked well for us in this kind of negotiation in our previous villa is simply to be very direct and definitive, as in "we don't have the money to pay you this extra 15 000 dhs".
Mention also that it is a 15% raise, informed in less than 3 months, which is unacceptable for you - as well as the law which are here to protect both landlord and tenants-, as well as non possible to deal with (hence not possible to give you that 15 000 dhs extra, as you don't have it, as you didn't have a raise of 15% recently - If you had, let us know where you work !!!).
Anyway, as you are not conforming to his request, he won't be happy. But putting it that way, he might be more understanding and you might keep good relationship with him.
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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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13/08/2012 21:14:07
UPDATE
Email from LL:
"I think the other villa rent for more than 100,000.
And I just want you to know that I'm am always dealing with you friendly, I don't refer to laws and rera, etc."
Ha. Good to know. We've appreciated having a very friendly landlord and now we're wondering if it would be worth it to have an angry LL. We'll be contacting RERA in the morning but are unsure how to tactfully proceed in hopes to salvage the good relationship we have.
Thoughts?
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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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13/08/2012 14:55:05
You're right, they can raise the rent if it's lower than it should be. However, the calculator says we're within a certain percentage of the average and not entitled to any rent increase.
I'm looking at rental laws now and SeaofLove is right. Even if he wanted to, he'd have to provide us 90 days notice.
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louisedvs
Posts 4321
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13/08/2012 14:47:11
I thought after 2 years they could raise the rent if it is lower than what that area should be. The calculator could be out of date 5% i believe is the cap ( It was for my area) They do have to give you written notice though and RERA can help on this and maintenance is not always covered by the LL that is dependant upon what is written in your contract and can change once a new one is raised
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Marroosh
Posts 2712
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13/08/2012 14:35:19
Well I have read other threads of ladies having issues with the landlord, and it seems RERA is on the tenants side and seem very helpful. I am sure they will be helpful to you too
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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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13/08/2012 14:28:10
That email is the response to us mentioning RERA so obviously he thinks that having to cover maintenance makes him an exception. All the villas here are out of warranty now so every other landlord is in the same situation and no one is entitled to an increase. I was hoping to not have to contact RERA directly. Bah!
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SeaofLove
Posts 377
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13/08/2012 14:25:11
He also has to give you three months notice before raising the rent. I'd call up RERA and verify this before letting your landlord know that you won't be paying the increase.
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Asti
Posts 1063
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13/08/2012 14:24:38
Maybe he doesnt even know what RERA is thats why he isnt responding?
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Marroosh
Posts 2712
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13/08/2012 14:21:53
Email him back mentioning that he is not entitled to do so according to RERA, If he doesn't cooperate go to RERA. See what he does when you mention RERA, maybe the last thing he wants is have them involved and you might be able to solve it directly.
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FloridaGirl
Posts 332
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13/08/2012 14:13:29
Our current rent is 100k and we've been here for 2 years. Our lease is up next month. We just received this email from the landlord:
"The new rent will be 115,000. As you know previously the maintenance was provided free by the developer and there was no service charges, but now I have to pay for maintenance and services."
The online rent calculator says we're not entitled to any rent increase. He can't raise the rent for any reason, right? Despite that he's now paying for maintenance out of pocket? The landlord has been really nice so far so I don't want to be a jerk, however, we don't want to stay here at that price nor are we interested in moving.
The previous correspondence was us saying we'd like to renew, him saying he plans on raising rent, and us pointing out that the RERA calculator says we're not entitled to a rent increase.
What should our next course of action be? Contacting RERA directly? I have no idea if our contract is registered with them so will they help us anyway?
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