2 Months Notice - Rented

Bunnie1982 · 6 February 2007 at 9:20PM

Our landlord has just called to advise he is selling the house and that our letting agent is writing to us with 2 months notice.

We are a bit shell shocked at the moment, especially as we are not in the financial situation to be able to find deposit and rent for another property.

The rent for our property is £390 and it is very difficult to find another in the area for this price.

I just don't know what to say or do

dexters_mum_2 · 6 February 2007 at 9:48PM

Hi Bunnie,
Sorry to hear this
Did you put a deposit down when you moved in to the property, if so, you will probably get that back?
Could you ask your letting agent to help you find alternative accomodation for your budget, have you considered moving to another area, even in just the short term.
Would it be a possibility for family/friends to put you up for a bit if you have to save for a further deposit/rent?

Sorry to hear about this, not the best start to the new year I know.

Take care
DM x

Bunnie1982 · 6 February 2007 at 10:12PM

We have considered moving elsewhere but we both need to be close to work.

We could move in with family but it would be a long term thing as we are not in a financially viable situation to be able to fork out money. I'd say about 3 months to save up - but then again they would expect rent

We put a deposit down but we don't know how long it will take to get back as it is held by a third party.

janeawej · 6 February 2007 at 11:07PM

do you have an assured shorthold tenency? if so that is the standard amount of time that the landlord has to give you, tenents have to give only one month, I have been on both sides and it is always difficult, however do check your tenancy agreement to doubke check the terms and have the property checked over on good time to rectify any small damages so that you can remedy them yourself as the landlord or agent will charge much more than it will cost you to do it yourself, sorry you find yourself in this situatio and i hope hyou soon find a new property to rent, jane

Bunnie1982 · 6 February 2007 at 11:56PM

I have lived in a rented accommodation before where the landlord just sold to another landlord, but this time the landlord just wants a private sale - said the house was worth more as a sale than it is for rent, which is true as they bought the house for £56,000 and it is now worth £120,000.

The tenancy was originally on a 6 month basis and then has rolled over month to month. What is strange is we have only just been notified of a rent increase to start at the end of February.

franklee · 7 February 2007 at 1:33AM

Bunnie1982, You have my sympathies. It happened to me last year, I had to leave a flat that I'd got rather attached to after a short time. I'm afraid that it's going to happen more and more with interest rates rising and house prices levelling off. Take away the capital gains and with rental yields low I suspect many landlords will be selling.

When you get your notice you may want to post the dates to check the they are correct to make sure it's valid.

Remember you can refuse buyers viewing if you want or at least arrange them at times to suit you.

It is worth talking to the landlord/agent about your deposit cash flow problems to see if they can speed up deposit return. It is in their interest to help get you out.

Worst case you can stay on after your notice expires, but only for a bit, so that's a bargaining chip if you need it.

clutton_2 · 7 February 2007 at 9:37AM

a landlord has to give you at least one months notice of a rent increase in writing (it may be two - anyone ?).

welshog8 · 7 February 2007 at 9:38AM

Don't panic just yet. If your landlord has sent you notice it means nothing. Once your notice has expired you can remain at the property until he evicts you.
The eviction process is quite lengthy so this could buy you a minimum of 4 months to find somewhere else. Speak to Citizens advice or look up the Housing Act on the web which will give you all the info you need to fight the landlord with.
This course of action is obviously not going to make you popular with the landlord but it is a means to an end if you are desperate.
Best of Luck!

rosysparkle · 7 February 2007 at 10:25AM

The above course of action will also ensure you won't get a good landlord's reference which will make it very difficult to rent again in the short term. Make sure you consider the consequences before you do this.

Can the agent find you somewhere else within your budget?

silvercar · 7 February 2007 at 10:25AM

You have 2 months, so start looking for a new property and ask your landlord for a reference. Start looking on the websites and register with agents. You will feel more incontrol of the situation. 2 months is quite a long time (round here!) to find a rental property.

Being difficult will only help you in the short term and waiting for a knock on the door is not going to be much fun. Refusing to leave will leave you insecure, you know you need to move eventually, even if you wait for an eviction order; better to manage the situation yourself. If you want to stay in the same area don't give yourself the reputation of being a difficult tenant. Remember a reference is useful, particularly if you have little deposit.

Bunnie1982 · 7 February 2007 at 6:54PM

The problem isn't finding another property, it's paying for all the things up front (deposit, month and a half rent, admin fees)

We have no money to be able to do this, at the moment we manage but my OH is dealing with all his finances through CCCS and my wage covers the household bills. We have no savings and no way of getting money together

2 Months Notice - Rented

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