Rental Increase

Rental increase

I was just notified of another rental increase of $10 to $440 effective in September. The previous one was in November 2013. I was hoping to get your advice on whether i had a case for this to be considered excessive.

I am no longer under contract, so i know they can increase their rent any time they want. I could sign another lease, but i am not sure whether i will be here for much longer. I may be. It’s all up in the air. I don’t want to move and sign a new lease, and have to break it. (what are the consequences for breaking a lease?)

Other rents for similar apartments in my area ranges from $425 to $500. It seems like i am in the lower end, but majority of the apartments are managed by the same agent as mine. So they could be going around increasing everyone’s rent so that they can say the increase is in line with the suburb’s average. I have no proof of this. Just a possibility.

The landlord’s expenses are minimal, i think. I asked for a plumber to fix a leak around the shower door, and an electrician to fix the transformer (?) for the halogen lights. The other major thing is the filthy oven issue (http://www.flatchat.com.au/forum/renters-rants/filthy-oven/) which they brought in a cleaner for. They did require me to follow up to make these happen.

I have not done any repairs on my own to the apartment. I have complied with every requests from the agent, eg house inspection, inspection for tax depreciation schedule, A/C maintenance, replacing fire alarms, checking fire dampers, etc… (there seems to be issues with the building when it was built).

I emailed the agent with “I feel having 2 rental increases within a 12 month period is a bit excessive. Is it possible to postpone and/or reduce the amount?” and the answer was a big No.

Do you think i have a case to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)? What else would be considered?

Thanks