Rent increase for additional resident

[vincejohnson]

Good Day People,

Quick question.

I've(m) been renting a flat with a friend(m) of mine for about 1.5 years.

This morning we found out that my friend's partner(f) had landed a job close by. The plan is for her to move in with us.

We've asked our agent if there'd be any issue with such an arrangement, and he replied: "Please note the Lease does say a maximum of two people. Please send me your partner's ID and I will check with the owner. If agreed the rent might have to be increased by about Rx - Rx"

Is such an increase commonplace? My logic tells me it shouldn't be, but I stand to be corrected

 

[chucklemethis]

@vincejohnson If the lease says maximum 2 people then they can increase the rent. That or your roommate and partner would have to move out.

 

[vincejohnson]

@chucklemethis My only counter to this would be, if we had applied with 3 people to start with, the rent would've been the same as it is now without having to add an additional person as an occupant.

But thanks, just doing my sanity checks here

 

[truthseeker52]

@vincejohnson You're right. It would have been, but now they have an opportunity to increase it, so they likely will. You unfortunately have no recourse over it besides seeing what the landlord is willing to do.

 

[boateng]

@vincejohnson IMO, I think its probably very common for landlords to enforce what's on the lease. If it says 2 then it's up to the owners discretion.

Keep in mind, the toilets /showers/doors kitchen going to be used 50% more now. so wear and tear does increase, it'd probably nominal but its not as if there are Zero costs to house am extra person.

 

[vincejohnson]

@boateng Imma copy a part of my other comment:
My only counter to this would be, if we had applied with 3 people to start with, the rent would've been the same as it is now without having to add an additional person as an occupant.

The extra cost isn't massive, and realistically, it'll be cheaper for my pocket since the partner will also contribute.

But if people think an increase, as a practice, is reasonable, then it probably is

 

[udliam]

@vincejohnson You don't know that the rent would have been the same if you applied with 3 people. Also, if you applied with 3, they may have rejected you and got other people to rent their property.

 

[boateng]

@vincejohnson you're 100% correct but unfortunately That is business.
You take what you can.

 

[mardisaaron]

@vincejohnson I hear you but it's quite a common practice. Some people even charge for overnight visitors

 

[kam4031]

@mardisaaron Jirre. This is super distopian.

 

[toosmartforyou01]

@kam4031 hahaaaa

 

[redvelvet97]

@kam4031 How so?

 

[kam4031]

@redvelvet97 Because you already paid for a living space. Then some schmuck charges you if you choose to entertain a guest in your living space. It immediatly creates an element of weighing up money vs having a guest over.

If you are too poor then sorry buddy. You cannot choose how to entertain your guest. Pay to play buddy. Quintessential distopian shit.

 

[redvelvet97]

@kam4031 Hahaha no, that's not how it works bru. I'm sure you will figure out the real world soon

 

[kam4031]

@redvelvet97 Your reply has 0 substance and is dismissive. Dont know why you would take the time to post something which makes 0 contribution to the conversation.

The only thing we can extrapolate from your post is I know something you dont. Congrats I guess.

 

[redvelvet97]

@vincejohnson This is very common .

 

[danmillward]

@vincejohnson More people on property = more risk of things being broken and more wear and tear. It's fair and sensible.

If you guys have been good tenants, it will be a nominal amount, maybe R500-1000.

 

[vivirescorrer]

@vincejohnson Wear and the tear. One person flushing your toilet daily vs 3 people? One person opening a closing doors vs 3 ppl. One person shaving and blocking the drain vs 3 people. On and on and on.

How big is the place, max occupancy is usually not just a thumbsuck

 

[jowiko]

@vincejohnson Does the rent include any utilities? Because if it does, those utilities now increase.

 

[vincejohnson]

@jowiko Utilities for our own account