As a landlord, I can tell you that the rent increase is negotiatable. If you do not like the 8% increase, tell them. If they are smart, they will counter offer by reducing the increase to 4%.
From the landlord perspective, it does not pay to lose a good tenant. It takes at least a month to get a new tenant in, that’s one month or 8.3% (1/12) without rental income. Addition of any amount is better than substraction of 8.3%!
So my advise is to talk to your landlord and I am sure you will both find a comfortable solution.
