Had a trawl through the various lease threads but can't find a situation quite the same as mine so thought I'd throw it out to the Geo jury who are more experienced in these matters.
Basically, we signed a lease on our apartment on 20/09/2009. This is a 2 year lease, as I believe is standard in HK, so is due to run until 19/09/2011. Our rent amount was agreed at the time of signing in 2009, and there is no mention of any break period or renegotiation of our agreed rental amount in the lease agreement. The only break clause is a 11+1 month notice period each way if we / they want to vacate.
Yesterday I received an email from our landlord stating
'As the fixed rental period is up on 19/09/2010, let’s get in touch to start negotiations on your new rent and terms'.
I was under the impression that our rent was fixed at the originally agreed amount until 19/09/2011 as per the signed lease, and there is no mention anywhere of a 'fixed rent period' that expires this year.
Is this right? Can the landlord make us sign a new or revised contract with higher rent at what is the mid-point of a 2 year lease? If he can, then what is the point of a 2 year lease in the first place if everything's up for renegotiation after year 1?
Additionally, surely he is obliged to give us more than 11 days notice if he intends to increase the rent?
I'd really welcome some advice on what tends to be standard practice here and what rights we have (or don't have!) to refuse to renegotiate until the end of our 2 year lease.
Thanks all!