Martin Lewis has given advice to a worried renter who was hit with a £500 a month rent increase.
The renter, known only as Becky, explained that her landlord had died and their children were trying to sell the flat due to the Inheritance Tax.
Her question was read out during the latest Martin Lewis Money Show broadcast, with Martin going on to explain her rights.
For the show, Martin had brought in a rental expert Siobhan Taylor-Ward, who is a housing solicitor at Vauxhall Law Centre and works to support renters.
The renter, Becky, told the Money Saving Expert that her landlord had died and their children were trying to sell the flat due to the Inheritance Tax.
Martin Lewis read out her question to Siobhan: "I've been put on a six-month tenancy and they've now increased the rent by £300 a month and again they're going to increase it again by £200 a month."
Matin explained to the audience that it had increased for the six-month tenancy and it was going up again at the end of it by another £200.
He continued: "What are my rights? I've lived here five years and I'm worried someone will be able to buy the flat and kick me out straight away."
The Money Saving Expert asked Siobhan: "Is that right? Can they do those rent increases?"
In response to the query, Siobhan explained: "Because she's at the end of her tenancy and it's a short-term tenancy, yes, the landlord can issue a new tenancy agreement with a new higher rent.
"She can obviously decide not to sign that tenancy agreement but then she's going to need to find somewhere to move to.
"If she signs the agreement she's going to have to pay the new higher rent otherwise she's going to be in rent arrears.
"She's in a difficult position. The landlord, if she won't agree to a rent increase, can issue a Section 21 outside of the tenancy agreement and she's at risk of a no-fault eviction there."
Martin then asked: "Often when these types of notices come in, they're not technically or legally correct which I'm fascinated by.
"So if you have had an eviction notice served on you, don't assume it's all watertight.
"If you want to fight it and you think it's unfair - if it's fair, it's fair - then go and get some advice to check whether what they're doing is legal and correct because it does happen."
Siobhan confirmed to Martin that incorrect notices are served every day.
Sadly, the answer for Becky was not a positive one.
The number of households privately renting has more than doubled over the past two decades, according to the 2021 Census, to five million.
Average rents across the UK were up 10.8% annually in December 2022 with the average rent in UK cities being around £1,087 a month, according to property website MoveIQ.
With interest rates at the highest level they have been for 14 years, mortgage rates have increased significantly for landlords and with further regulatory changes, rents are unlikely to reduce throughout 2023.
