1988 Housing Act

SparciaM

I have a contract that is fixed term shorthold tenancy agreement and ends on Dec 22nd 2006.

My question is. Our landlord is wanting to bring a new contract in that will replace our "All Inclusive deal" with "Rent plus Bills" deal. Now firstly, do we have to sign this new contract, or can we continue on an "All Inclusive deal" until the tenancy runs out?

Secondly, if the landlord wants us out, under Section 21 of the Housing Act it states he has to give 2 months notice or wait till end of agreement (whichever is later). Does this mean then, that if we decide No on signing the new contract, he cannot make us vacant the property until Dec 22nd 2006 and has to also give 2 months notice?!?

Our landlord is a bit of a shoddy dealer and we're trying to get all our legal thoughts in place, before he comes over at the end of the month for us to sign this new contract.

amboy

You are right in thinking that he cannot issue a rent increase or change the terms of your contract until the current one expires.

If he wants you out then he has to give you 2 clear notice, (the date he does this is crucial) and it can be 2 months before your tenancy expires or he could even give you notice now under s21. But your current contract is binding until the date it says.

Are you on a good deal now? Just wondering why he would want to change now, can only think he has underestimated the potential utility costs.

If you want to stay beyond your contract, it might be worth making an effort to conserve your utility bills (if you dont already) so this will help you get good habits for when you have to pay utilities.

HTH

SparciaM

The rent is changing is because he has over 15 houses and he said "The climate we live in, needs people to have bills in their own names and take responsibility for their living habits" Personally, it's because he can't be !!!!d paying all the bills on the house.

ALSO, the gas and electricity have already changed into my and my housemates names - even though we pay "All inclusive", yet scottish power say it's nothing to do with them and we need to bring it up with landlord and still pay bills.

amboy

SparciaM wrote:

The rent is changing is because he has over 15 houses and he said "The climate we live in, needs people to have bills in their own names and take responsibility for their living habits" Personally, it's because he can't be !!!!d paying all the bills on the house.

ALSO, the gas and electricity have already changed into my and my housemates names - even though we pay "All inclusive", yet scottish power say it's nothing to do with them and we need to bring it up with landlord and still pay bills.

I replied to your PM before reading this and I must dd that -

It is irellevant how many houses he has except for the fact that he may try and lead you to believe he knows the law etc.

Changing the utility to your names now is not on either, you need to speak again with Scottish Power and send them your tenancy agreement which should state bills are all inclusive.

I have then to ask you why you would want to stay with your LL, if this is how he deals with issues, is the house/rent good?

SparciaM

called Scottish Power about the agreement and they said that is nothing to do with them. LL needs to call in and sort - they don't deal with LL disputes.

Spoke to a manager and a legal deparment person and they all said, LL said you live there so you now pay bills! Nothing to do with us, take legal action against your LL