Landlord selling house and I'm 6 mths pregnant

The_Drama_Llama

Ha! Hope the solictor gave them a (verbal) spanking and explained the consequences of harrassment.

Glad they're going to leave you in peace.

GDB2222

EastMidsGal wrote: »

I can't leave the house very much, I am getting terrible pains in my bump, pelvis and hips. I can't do any bending without being in pain. I have to keep my legs raised or they become painful too.

I don't want to worry you, but did you have those symptoms in your previous pregnancy? We have had several children (well, my wife did all the hard work), and I don't recall her being particularly uncomfortable. Sure, she took things a bit easier, but she wasn't in pain. Another good reason to see your GP!

tbs624

That's good news EMG

You now also have further clear evidence that the LL wants you out of the property.

As you say that the Council bod was less than helpful, do make use of your local Councillors if you have further difficulty with him over a homelessness application.

EastMidsGal

GDB2222 wrote: »

I don't want to worry you, but did you have those symptoms in your previous pregnancy? We have had several children (well, my wife did all the hard work), and I don't recall her being particularly uncomfortable. Sure, she took things a bit easier, but she wasn't in pain. Another good reason to see your GP!

I saw my midwife last week for a routine appointment and I mentioned it all to her and she said it was normal but told me what I had already been told, to take things easy, get lots of rest and avoid stress. Well none of that will be possible when it comes to moving, but at least I can avoid it until then thanks to the lettings agent backing off now

I think it is lovely how you specifically credited your wife as doing all the hard work. Some people have easier pregnancies than others, but no pregnancy is easy. I just wanted to say how it was really lovely that you did that, and also your concern and suggestion for me to see my GP, thank you

N79

Great result! Clearly they actually have good solicitors who have told them where they stand.

I guess the next fight (in a little while) will be over the council insisting on a court order before they rehouse you but there is plenty of time before you need to go there!

Gandalfthegrey

Hi East Mids Girl

Please would it be possible to keep us updated on your situation because I am in a similar position so would really like to know what happens next.

Our LL's put the house on the market before xmas (for the 2nd time) They are also our neighbours. Its a private letting, so no LA's. We allowed viewings and have been very good tennents. They have now accepted an offer on the house and given us a hand wrtten notice to leave (but not a section 21) We have until the 30th March to vacate property. Thing is I am due to have our baby in 10 days - 3rd March! (so this is really bad timing obviously) Also last year my OH was made redundant so has had to take a job for min wage to keep money coming in. We cant afford to rent privately anywhere else (since living here for 2 years rents have increased) but we are still looking anyway.
I have had an interview with the housing department who said we do not have to take a private let if we dont want to, and cant find one suitable for our needs. She said once we get to the 2nd March (28 days before we have to leave) the council have to start looking for suitable accommodation for us under the 'homelessness act' but may result in temporary accommodation.

Please could you let me know whether or not you end up in temporary accommodation, and how long you stay there for before the council find you a council house. Also what type of temp accommodation, because I really do not want to be stuck in a b&b with a newborn and a toddler, with no kitchen facilities (which will be needed for sterilising bottles etc)

Good Luck

EastMidsGal

The first thing is, they haven't served you a S21 so you don't have to move out!! So don't!! If you move out now before you legally have to the council could refuse to help you as they would say you have made yourselves intentionally homeless.

The first thing the council looked at when I approached them for help was to se if my S21 was valid. If it hadn't of been they wouldn't have helped me until I had a valid s21

Let the note expire and then refuse to leave until you've been served proper legal notice, this will give you an extra 1 or 2 months extra. If you tell you landlord now that it is invalid then he'll serve you an S21 sooner, whereas you can play for more time by waiting until this non-valid notice expires.

I live in London where there is a greater shortage of housing. I have been told that if we do need the councils help with housing we will be put into a B&B but legally councils can only keep families in B&Bs for a maximum of 6 weeks before moving them on to temp accommodation. I have heard of people being in temp accommodation for as long as eight years. Don't know what temp accommodation is like, I think it is a flat or house that you just have a short term, non secured tenancy on.

I spoke to a great solicitor and they said that it is very hard to prove a B&B is unsuitable accommodation as the terms for which the council judges that by are very narrow. Maybe you could get letters from your health visitor, Dr, midwife etc to show that a B&B would severely limit your capacity to look after your newborn and that it could seriously affect your mental health. It may help but I have been told councils just tend to ignore letters from professionals and do their own thing but it may help you later on if you develop post natal depression which could be linked to being in a B&B you could show that the council had been written to by your GP etc informing them that there was a risk etc etc. The letters may not help, the council may well ignore them but they won't do any harm.

If you can't afford to rent privately have you found out if you are eligible to receive LHA, the new name for housing benefit? The council, IF you are found to be homeless through no fault of your own even more reason to stay until you are served an official S21, they will provide the first months rent and the deposit. You then just pay off the first months rent weekly.

It might be uncomfortable for you if your landlords are also your neighbours but you still have rights. If they harass you or intimidate you phone the police.

I found Shelter AMAZING! They have a free phone number and they don't rush you, I have had three phone conversations with them all at least an hour long! I also received advice free through the community legal advice helpline, the link to that is further back in this thread.

First thing I would definitely say is ignore their handwritten note and get some legal advice x

Wee_Willy_Harris

6 weeks B+B is a target, not a legal obligation. It's also an average figure for ALL families in B+B.

EastMidsGal

WWH Where did you get your information from because I was told by Shelter and my solicitor that because I have child/ren they won't be allowed to keep us in a B&B for longer than 6 weeks. It may be just a target and not a legal obligation for other people, but councils are no longer allowed to keep families in B&Bs for longer than 6 weeks

Wee_Willy_Harris

EastMidsGal wrote: »

WWH Where did you get your information from because I was told by Shelter and my solicitor that because I have child/ren they won't be allowed to keep us in a B&B for longer than 6 weeks. It may be just a target and not a legal obligation for other people, but councils are no longer allowed to keep families in B&Bs for longer than 6 weeks

Are you suggesting they just provide 6 weeks B+B then turf you out on the streets if there is no alternative available?