Rent increase versus keeping a reliable London tenant

[bea_listings]

I’m trying to run this London condo sensibly without being unreasonable. Comparable asking rent appears to be around £6,856, while the current tenant pays about £5,728 reliably and takes good care of the home.

The gap is substantial, but so are the possible costs of vacancy, refurbishment and finding a replacement. I’m leaning towards a modest adjustment rather than chasing the full asking figure. How would others frame that conversation fairly, while following the applicable notice rules and preserving a good landlord-tenant relationship?

 

[miro_ash]

I would put a real value on reliability and care of the property. The gap is £1,128 for the same rental period, but asking rent is not necessarily achieved rent. Estimate how much one empty period, preparation and reletting would cost, then compare that with a smaller increase over the time you expect the tenant to remain. Explain the proposal early rather than presenting it as a surprise.

 

[vera.bell]

Before choosing a number, what does the tenancy agreement say about rent reviews, and are those £6,856 comparisons genuinely similar in condition, size, furnishing and location? I’d also consider how long the tenant has been at £5,728 and whether there is any significant maintenance coming up. The correct notice and process can depend on the tenancy arrangements, so verify the current England rules rather than relying on a generic template.

 

[readTheEcho]

The practical problem is that advertised comparisons may be ambitious rather than evidence of what tenants are paying. Splitting the £5,728 and £6,856 figures can therefore look balanced while still being based on a weak reference point. At the same time, leaving a large gap untouched may make the next review more difficult.

I would price two routes: a modest increase that favours retention, and a larger increase that includes a realistic allowance for vacancy, preparation and reletting. If the second route no longer works when the empty period runs longer than hoped, choose the first and explain it to the tenant early.

 

[vera.bell]

Agreed—the comparable evidence needs testing first. I’d make a short table of genuinely similar homes, note their condition and how long they remain advertised, then set a defensible increase rather than anchoring solely to £6,856. Give the tenant a calm written explanation and room to respond.

If they decide to leave, plan the inspection, maintenance and deposit handling carefully under the applicable arrangements. A smooth exit has value too, and avoids turning a rent discussion into a dispute.