new tenancy - big mistake HELP

smileykylie_2

I am currently on hold to shelter to get some advice but thought I might post on here as well.

My husband and i seperated in june - we are in a rented property and the tenancy is up next weekend, so we have both had to find places to live.

My husband has found a bedsit and paid his money and signed his agreement yesterday. We moved him in yesterday and to be honest the bedsit is tiny with a very small window. He has been crying all day and I have tried to be positive about it but it really is like a prison cell.

Anyway he phoned me at 11.30pm last night and was in tears and having a panic attack as he felt so trapped. He could hardly breathe. He came back to our flat and slept here last night.

He does not want to go back to the flat he rented and we don't know what to do. I have never seem him like this he is usually a very strong person. he is happy to move into a bigger bedsit in the block and pay more money but am worried they will not have any more available. the ad was originally placed by the landlord but then turned over to an agency for the tenancy agreement etc.

How do you think we should approach this, should we go to the agency or the landlord directly, and if they refuse to allow him to move what can we do - he really cannot stay there.

Thanks

poppysarah

Where are you moving to? Is your husband keen to get back with you? Just a thought if he's being out of character.

Speak to the landlord. They may be willing to upgrade for a fee - it's got to be worth asking.

smileykylie_2

no chance of getting back together - i am moving abroad!!!

We will speak to the agent but don't want them to know how vulnerable he is just yet as don't want them to use it against him.

Jowo_2

Like PoppySarah, I wonder if his reaction is an emotional one from having to face up to the split rather than the physical construction of the bedsit and that by accommodating him, you let him escape from facing up to the actual reality of being single.

He has signed a legally binding contract and can only surrender it early if the landlord gives their consent or move to another property if the same landlord has another one available. In the latter case, the agency may charge again for a new contract for the new property.

The Shelter website explains what a fixed term contract is.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/ending_a_tenancy_or_licence/ending_a_fixed_term_agreement

smileykylie_2

I am wondering if part of it is the emotional upheaval as well and if it is I want to help him sort it out. Not sure how to help him with the panic attacks though.

I have been really positive about the property and it is quite depressing but is clean and tidy and is only for 6 months and is cheap (for our area)

the landlord has put an ad in the place we found this one advertising a bigger property at the same address - i think he will have to bite the bullet and pay more if the landlord will allow him.

poppysocks1

Its definately worth asking if he can move to the bigger one, pay more etc, as they may be fine with that. I was the same when I moved into a bedsit, it was a horrible feeling, and I had to stay til the end of the 6 month tenancy then I moved out as really didnt like it but sometimes we just dont have a choice.

To get through it I just kept very very busy, and spent the least time possible there, just using it as a base. I hope he gets it sorted out, I think its a combination of things, not just the size of the bedsit,as it must have seemed ok when he viewed it.

Good luck, I hope you manage to sort it out. Let us know how you get on.

Fire_Fox

The first thing your husband needs to do is to see his GP and ask for help with panic attacks/ depression/ anxiety or whatever other symptoms he is experiencing. TBH tho bedsits are horrible when you are used to having someone else around - he might be best in a shared house: it may be that the letting agency are sympathetic in letting him terminate this tenancy early if he has a letter of support from his GP and helps find a replacement tenant.

smileykylie_2

thanks everyone for your support this morning we have been in quite a state.

I rang the agent and the lettings manager was really nice (but made sure i knew we had put them out) and agreed to show us a bigger bedsit and pay an extra admin fee to transfer the tenancy.

My husband was at work and he trusted me to look and I just returned and it is 1000% better, big window double bed and 10mins for work and only an extra 85 per month which he can afford.

She has agreed to sort it out for him on Monday and negotiate with the landlord (i think it is the same owner for both which will make it better).

thanks again - will hopefully sleep tonight!!!