SAMPLE LETTER

Rent increase in share housing

You can use this sample letter when you live as a subtenant in a share house and your head tenant has told you your rent is to be increased without giving proper notice, and is taking more than a fair share of the rent. You should modify it to match your circumstances.

Copy and paste the template letter below or download a copy from the link above. Remember to substitute your details for the details contained in [square brackets].

[Your name and address]

[Date]

[Head-tenant’s name and address]

Dear …

Re: Rent increase at [your address]

Recently you increased my rent from $[amount] to $ [amount] per week. I believe that this rent increase is unreasonable given that the rent you pay the real estate agent [or landlord] is $[amount] per week and one other person in the premises also pays you rent.

I am a sub-tenant and therefore I am covered under the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. Under section 41 of the Act you are required to give me 60 days notice of a rent increase. Any increased rent that I pay without 60 days written notice will have to be refunded.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Yours sincerely

[T Tenant]