Soon to be homeless

baby_2009

Hi All,

I am registered with a local council for housing.

At the end of February our tenancy expires. We have been given the notice of possesion from the landlord 2 months in advance.

We have an appointment with the council tomorow, and they are going to see what they can do for us.

We have a 3 week old baby, so I do hope they help to find us a place, as we have no where else to go. The landlord is evicting us as he has new tenants ready to move in. We dont have any arrears, asbo or any negative traits, he just wants new tenants.

Has anyone been in this situation before that can offer any advice.

Thanks.

Fire_Fox

Why on earth would a landlord evict perfectly good tenants? Is there any reason you cannot simply find another private let?

baby_2009

i know. we have not done anything wrong, we have been here for 2 and a half years. we are unable to raise the deposit before end of feb. do you think the council can help us?

silvercar

Probably offer you a bond, as a substitute for a deposit and give you a list of private landlords/ rentals.

If you want them to actually house you, you will probably be told to wait until the landlord evicts you by going back to court and then appointing baliffs. Some councils wait until the baliffs are virtually at the door before doing anything; even then it could well be temporary accommodation for a few weeks while they assess you.

baby_2009

if they can offer us some £ towards a deposit that would be a weight off our shoulders.......thanks.

Snorkerz

The section 21 notice that you have been given is only the first stage of the process. You DO NOT have to leave at the end of Feb, you can only be evicted once the landlord has got a court order. It will take around a month for the LL to get his order, and the order will give you around 2 weeks. IF you don't go when the order says you must - then the landlord STILL can not throw you out, he will have to employ court bailiffs to remove you - that will take 2-3 weeks more and the bailiffs will make prior arrangement with you.

HOWEVER...

If you are after a reference, this plan won't go down well.

The court order will cost landlord £150 and the bailiffs another £95 - if he employs a solicitor the total will be around £500 - this could come out of your deposit :eek:

Jowo_2

The shelter website has a comprehensive section on homelessness, including how a council should process any applications for homelessness and potential options.

Your council website may have information on the rent or deposit guarantee schemes they offer those in housing need and the criteria for eligibility.

Sarah.Cc

I think you should follow the councils advise once they give it which will be to stay in the property untill he has a court order. if you leave before evicted by the court you will be found intentionally homless...that has just happened to me and my daughter and she was almost taken into care as i had made myself homeless in thier eyes so do as they say!!!!!

i eventually got given a bond deposit....most private agents take it it just depends on how you behave etc when you meet the agent to convince them you are not bad people that will wreck the place!!

if u wait for teh court order then the council will have to house you and im pretty sure you can only be placed in a hostel 4 6wks with a baby and then after that you would be given a self contained unit but seeing as its not your fault hopefully they would put you into a property straight away...

try not to worry as your new lil baby needs all your time and i no how stressful all this housing stuff is but you are not doing anything to make him evict you and chance are he might not be able to neway without any good reasons!!! good luck

BitterAndTwisted

Have you spoken to the landlord to clarify exactly why you are no longer satisfactory tenants? Is it because he has family members who need the property or is it just that he thinks he may get more rent from new tenants? Is the landlord holding any deposit of yours?

adg1

Snorkerz wrote: »

The section 21 notice that you have been given is only the first stage of the process. You DO NOT have to leave at the end of Feb, you can only be evicted once the landlord has got a court order. It will take around a month for the LL to get his order, and the order will give you around 2 weeks. IF you don't go when the order says you must - then the landlord STILL can not throw you out, he will have to employ court bailiffs to remove you - that will take 2-3 weeks more and the bailiffs will make prior arrangement with you.

Please please be aware that this is a last resort but one the council wil potentially advise you to go down. However, to get a private let sorted you'll need a goopd previous landlords reference and you will not get a good'un if you force the landlord into this action. I suppose its a sort of catch 22 situation to coin a phrase.

Sit down with the council and see if they can help you financially. Councils have an obligation to house people that are/will be come homeless under the LHA if they haven't made themselves INTENTIALLY homeless.

With proof that you haven't got rental arrears or caused your LL any issues you may find them amenable to helping you.

However, I find it odd that a LL would offer notice on tenants that are paying rent regularly and on time just because...

baby_2009 wrote: »

he just wants new tenants.

He must have some reason? Are you renting well below market value for instance and he can get more form new tenants?

Can a family member help you with your deposit for another private rental?

rictus123

Must have a reason though? Is it possible hes after more money?