CairoRose

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Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 13:15

Hello I'd like to add my two penny's worth as I've just gone through a similar scenario. Less than a month before my contract was due for renewal, my LL wrote to me and basically asked for a 25% rent increase (!!!) and told me that he had someone willing to pay this price! I checked with RERA and their index calculator and it showed the price I pay is within a range and no increase allowed. There is also a rule that LLs are not supposed to increase unless you've been on the same rent for two years and they are supposed to give 90days notice. None of which applied in my case. So I wrote to him and politely told him to refer to RERA. He then wrote and gave me some cock and bull story and said it wasn't economically viable for him in today's market and that he'd probably sell the apt. A few days later he emailed me informing me that this was my notice to vacate the property on termination of the current contract - imagine! Less than a month's notice. I wrote back (after consulting with RERA and lawyer friends) and told him what he was suggesting was illegal and if he pushes me I will open a case with the rent committee and I also mentioned I wanted to renew under the current terms and conditions. To cut a long story short, he had no choice but to play ball and a few days ago I signed my renewal. He made me sign a non-renewal notice which is fair enough. By the way any notice is not legal by email or sms. It has to be signed in person or delivered by courier. Also, if you're in the right and you go to the rent committee to file a case against your LL, you will initially pay 3.5% (of the rental) as a fee and the loser pays so the LL would ultimately get less rent and they wont actually get a penny until the whole case is resolved. As you can imagine, there are many cases so.....long wait! I think this would deter any LL if he knows he's in the wrong! Hope this info is of help to others and if anyone wants any further details, am happy to help. I just want people to be aware as some people believe their LLs or feel threatened and leave when they don't have to and when they haven't been given proper notice. RERA is actually on the side of the tenants to protect from rogue LLs. Know your rights and be firm!

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