We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
New repossessed flat causes delay in moving...what shall I do?
Options
-Zigo
Posts: 33 Forumite
Hi,
I'm after a bit of advice regarding a flat I've been trying to move into. I'll try to keep it brief...
I was shown a flat by a letting agent ("LA") at the end of May. I was told that it had been repossessed and is now managed by a property management company ("flat PMC", or "FPMC").
Due to the flat being empty since Jan/Feb, the electricity and water were turned off. There were also a couple of minor jobs that needed doing (broken blind, light fitting, etc.). I liked the flat and paid the security deposit to secure the flat and take it off the market, on the agreement that the minor things would be fixed and that I could come back at a later date to test the appliances once the elec and water were turned back on.
A day or two later, I heard back from the LA that the FPMC had agreed to my conditions and had hired contractors to get the minor things fixed. I was informed that the elec/water would be turned back on but that it would only be checked by the LA - I wouldn't be able to check this myself. The LA said this is fine and they'll let me know the outcome. Also, they say that I need to deal directly with the FPMC regarding rent and deposit. I spoke to the FPMC about this and they referred me back to the LA.....LA insist it's FPMC's responsibility.....
Roll forward a couple of weeks, when I contacted the FPMC to state that I was still yet to pay the deposit and first month's rent, nor had I even seen (let alone signed) a tenancy agreement. I was then told that the property management company for the block ("BPMC") had an outstanding issue with the FPMC regarding the elec/water and that I wouldn't be able to move in until it gets sorted out.
After some questioning, this boils down to the FPMC being in arrears for outstanding service charges, and the BPMC won't allow the services to be switched on until they are paid. FPMC say they were only made aware of this a couple of days prior to my phone call; BPMC say they told the FPMC at least 2 weeks previous (although why this wasn't known for much longer is beyond me, given that the flat has been empty for so long). FPMC say they are yet to be in receipt of this money from the receivers, but assure me it will be resolved in 2 weeks.
By this point, I had no choice but to move out of my old flat since new tenants were due to move in, so currently I'm staying at a friend's house temporarily. I was told I could put my possessions into the new flat without actually living there (i.e. handing the keys back to the LA) to avoid paying for storage, which I did do initially. However I have now moved everything into storage for peace of mind. (Incidentally, I noticed that the water is actually working in the flat (although I didn't test for too long), but the elec is still off).
So now I'm left wondering what to do. I have no way of knowing whether the service charge arrears will be sorted out as promised (I should know this week). Even if they are and I'm informed everything is fine for me to move in, I'm worried that the issue of the flat being repossessed might have further implications in the future that I'm unaware of. Also, given that I haven't yet signed a tenancy agreement or handed over deposit or rent, I don't know where I stand.
What sort of things should I now be asking/looking out for?
If I were to sign the tenancy agreement and start paying rent, do I have any protection against something extreme happening like the FPMC going into administration? (The LA said they have a history of being "a bit slow" to get some things resolved, but are usually "very good" in general)
Should I walk away from this entirely and look for somewhere else to live? I really don't want to do this as the property is perfect for me, plus it's unfurnished and I've already gone out and bought a load of furniture (using ebay).
I'm after a bit of advice regarding a flat I've been trying to move into. I'll try to keep it brief...
I was shown a flat by a letting agent ("LA") at the end of May. I was told that it had been repossessed and is now managed by a property management company ("flat PMC", or "FPMC").
Due to the flat being empty since Jan/Feb, the electricity and water were turned off. There were also a couple of minor jobs that needed doing (broken blind, light fitting, etc.). I liked the flat and paid the security deposit to secure the flat and take it off the market, on the agreement that the minor things would be fixed and that I could come back at a later date to test the appliances once the elec and water were turned back on.
A day or two later, I heard back from the LA that the FPMC had agreed to my conditions and had hired contractors to get the minor things fixed. I was informed that the elec/water would be turned back on but that it would only be checked by the LA - I wouldn't be able to check this myself. The LA said this is fine and they'll let me know the outcome. Also, they say that I need to deal directly with the FPMC regarding rent and deposit. I spoke to the FPMC about this and they referred me back to the LA.....LA insist it's FPMC's responsibility.....
Roll forward a couple of weeks, when I contacted the FPMC to state that I was still yet to pay the deposit and first month's rent, nor had I even seen (let alone signed) a tenancy agreement. I was then told that the property management company for the block ("BPMC") had an outstanding issue with the FPMC regarding the elec/water and that I wouldn't be able to move in until it gets sorted out.
After some questioning, this boils down to the FPMC being in arrears for outstanding service charges, and the BPMC won't allow the services to be switched on until they are paid. FPMC say they were only made aware of this a couple of days prior to my phone call; BPMC say they told the FPMC at least 2 weeks previous (although why this wasn't known for much longer is beyond me, given that the flat has been empty for so long). FPMC say they are yet to be in receipt of this money from the receivers, but assure me it will be resolved in 2 weeks.
By this point, I had no choice but to move out of my old flat since new tenants were due to move in, so currently I'm staying at a friend's house temporarily. I was told I could put my possessions into the new flat without actually living there (i.e. handing the keys back to the LA) to avoid paying for storage, which I did do initially. However I have now moved everything into storage for peace of mind. (Incidentally, I noticed that the water is actually working in the flat (although I didn't test for too long), but the elec is still off).
So now I'm left wondering what to do. I have no way of knowing whether the service charge arrears will be sorted out as promised (I should know this week). Even if they are and I'm informed everything is fine for me to move in, I'm worried that the issue of the flat being repossessed might have further implications in the future that I'm unaware of. Also, given that I haven't yet signed a tenancy agreement or handed over deposit or rent, I don't know where I stand.
What sort of things should I now be asking/looking out for?
If I were to sign the tenancy agreement and start paying rent, do I have any protection against something extreme happening like the FPMC going into administration? (The LA said they have a history of being "a bit slow" to get some things resolved, but are usually "very good" in general)
Should I walk away from this entirely and look for somewhere else to live? I really don't want to do this as the property is perfect for me, plus it's unfurnished and I've already gone out and bought a load of furniture (using ebay).
0
Comments
-
Any suggestions anyone?0
-
Surely someone has a comment or suggestion? :huh:
I think I might speak to the CAB for advice0 -
I think I'd walk away. I'd walk away if there was that much confusion over a property I was buying, let alone something as throwaway as a 6 month contract.
Sounds like no-one knows what they are doing. For goodness sake don't sign a tenancy without moving in, you'll be liable for that full six months despite there being no services!
I'd try and get your deposit back. And definitel forget the flat.Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
0 -
walk a way. Sorry run like the clappers!
Sounds like either the owner is not interested or going broke, Both are bad news for tenants.
Think how long it would take for the LL to get something repaired, if he even can't be bothered dealing with the stuff that directly effects him0 -
Thanks for your reply Doozergirl. Do you have any reason why you would walk away, other than the fact that it sounds a bit iffy? I mean, if this sort of thing happens occasionally and it gets resolved quickly and completely with nothing to worry about in the future, then I would be mad to walk away.
I would never move in without signing a tenancy agreement, that would be lunacy.
I haven't paid a deposit yet so I have nothing to get back there. It's just the security deposit, which I would very much intend on getting back if I don't eventually move in.0 -
sharkie - well it's a property management company, not a private landlord. But I agree with your worry about how long something might take to get sorted in the future.
I don't understand how an owner could not be interested. I mean, I'm ready to start paying rent, which is more than is happening now0 -
Doozergirl didn't say "don't move in without signing a tenancy agreement" she said "don't sign a tenancy agreement without moving in"!I would never move in without signing a tenancy agreement, that would be lunacy.
Walk away. You'll be waiting for ever to get this stuff sorted, and as said, you'll wait each time a new issue comes up. This is not a LL to do business with.
Good luck with the security deposit though....0 -
Oops, you're right, I misread that.Doozergirl didn't say "don't move in without signing a tenancy agreement" she said "don't sign a tenancy agreement without moving in"!
Yeah, I wouldn't sign any agreement unless everything is in writing that it's fine. But I suppose that still doesn't solve any potential further problems...0 -
Oops, you're right, I misread that.
Yeah, I wouldn't sign any agreement unless everything is in writing that it's fine. But I suppose that still doesn't solve any potential further problems...
No - don't sign anything till you've seen/checked the property, and have the keys in front of you.0 -
If you mean checked that the water and elec are working, yes of course. I've already been in the flat a number of times and checked everything I can.No - don't sign anything till you've seen/checked the property, and have the keys in front of you.
That's not the problem though - my question is whether I'd have anything to worry about in the future, even if everything appeared to be sorted out0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.7K Spending & Discounts
- 244.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.7K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards