Landlord Added Second House on Existing Property

LSarge2401 on 16/09/2018 - 05:27
Last edited 20/09/2018 - 22:18 by 1 other user

We are currently renting a very old house and have lived in it for over 10 years. Over this time very little maintenance or improvements have occurred.

Now the landlord has placed another house on the property that I originally understood to be for his use while he was up here away from his primary residence. I found out yesterday that he plans on renting it out after Christmas. He has also wired a home sewerage treatment plant that will be used for both properties in to our power so we will be paying for both properties waste treatment.

Should I be asking for a rent reduction as the entire land was for our use and he has taken some of that away and should the sewerage system be on a third power meter and then the cost split.

Update: he came to me with a rent increase letter - we have no formal lease, and I hit him with the power and land size issue. The sewerage will go on the new house, that a tenant will end up paying for our share of the power!?!? And as for the increase in rent, I negotiated a no increase for 2 years with a signed lease, but we will be out before then.

Home & Garden Rental Property

Comments

  • oscargamer on 16/09/2018 - 08:04
    +8

    Yes and yes.

  • barbarella on 16/09/2018 - 09:04

    Talk it all over with the owner…see what can be agreed upon

    • Diji1 on 16/09/2018 - 16:00
      +1

      see what can be agreed upon

      Not paying for the sewage service is non-negotiable.

  • Nugs on 16/09/2018 - 09:29

    or move?

  • mysterytal on 16/09/2018 - 09:35
    +2

    It's time to move.

    Yes I know it's expensive and rents elsewhere will probably be higher but you are never going to get this land back. Go and find somewhere else and relax.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/09/2018 - 10:11

    You can ask for a rent reduction or move.

    It's the landlords land, he can do whatever he wants with it.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 16/09/2018 - 10:57

    Landlords property he can do what he wants but it would be worth trying to negotiate a better deal

  • jjjaar on 16/09/2018 - 11:23
    +2

    You probably would have gotten more reduction had you tried to reduce your rent when they first notified you of the new dwelling on the property, as that’s when they technically reduced the size of your rental (even if it was only the back yard).

    I’d have a look at what other dual occupancies are going for in your area, and try and negotiate with the landlord for that kind of price (as really, that’s what they would likely get if you left and it was put on the rental market). Though, I’d be firm and say if it doesn’t match the current market, you’ll leave. But make sure you do leave.

    • Sarge2401 on 20/09/2018 - 22:10

      I originally thought it would be for his personal use. He seems to only ever spend about 4 to 6 weeks total in the area, where he has a unit and family.

      • jjjaar on 20/09/2018 - 22:16

        Even then, they’ve taken away space you originally had unlimited access to. Regardless of who is using it, you agreed to leasing more space than you now have.

        • Sarge2401 on 20/09/2018 - 22:20

          The excuse he used was we never used that part of the property. Mostly because the grass was chest deep and not even usable.

        • jjjaar on 20/09/2018 - 22:24

          @Sarge2401: His excuse was irrelevant. Had you had a spare room you weren’t using, he couldn’t have just come in and taken over. Land is no different. Your lease became smaller the day he took it away from you, so your rent should have reduced, even if just slightly.

        • Sarge2401 on 20/09/2018 - 22:28

          @jjjaar: I have got his email and have drafted a letter to go with the lease for him. Is taking longer than I expected to take all the bits out saying what I really think of him.

  • bobbified on 16/09/2018 - 11:38

    Now the landlord has placed another house on the property

    Is this a lego house or something that he just plonked on the land overnight? Have you had any conversations with the landlord about it before?

    It's definitely time to renegotiate a cheaper rent for the reduction of your rental size. If the land is huge and the new tenants don't cause any issues, it could be a bonus for you if you didn't use that land anyway.

    If that doesn't work, time to move.

    • Sarge2401 on 20/09/2018 - 22:12

      It's probably a about double the size of a miners dinger. 2 bedroom. Kitchenette. Shower/toilet closet

  • chumlee on 16/09/2018 - 16:49
    +1

    Tell the landlord you will not put up with the shit occuring

  • whooah1979 on 16/09/2018 - 16:56

    Are you renting on an acreage?

  • JimmyF on 16/09/2018 - 17:08

    Should I be asking for a rent reduction as the entire land was for our use

    Yes, why did you even allow them to do what they did in the first place without questioning this!

    should the sewerage system be on a third power meter and then the cost split.

    Yes ask him to pay towards the power costs, or move the entire sewerage system over to 'his' meter.

  • Davo1111 on 16/09/2018 - 17:52

    just move…

  • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2018 - 01:39

    It's business.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2018 - 09:57

    No formal lease WTF? Why don't you have a lease? That's shonky as hell. I would get in touch with what ever state tennants support there is as this is most likely illegal. (Would be in WA)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join