I moved into a new apartment Dec 2009 and signed a contract till Dec 2011. Landlord now called and wants to raise rent by $1200 as he heard that other flats at my estate already go for way more than that (not completely true, transaction database shows some more, some less expensive in recent months, and actually not very many transactions).
It's a standard contract as used by Midland. At the end of the contract is a "Break Clause" with the following wording:
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinbefore contained, the Landlord/Tenant either party shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement earlier than as herein provided by serving not less than one months' written notice or by paying one months' Rent in lieu to the Landlord/Tenant/ other party provided that the said written notice shall not be served before the expiration of the 11 month Term of Tenancy.
Is it standard practice to "abuse" the break clause to raise rents?
I'll of course tell them I don't agree etc, but I am a bit afraid I'll have to move beginning of December and pay property agent fee and go through the trouble of moving just to move into a similar expensive apartment. The apartment was empty for almost a year before I rented it, so hopefully they remember that when I tell them to get lost