Landlord selling house and I'm 6 mths pregnant

EastMidsGal

silvercar wrote: »

Any chance the father could help towards a deposit?

Not much chance of that. The idiot thinks that now his relationship with me is over so is his obligation to his child, rich seeing as it was him that initially suggested starting a family!! ggrrr Please do not even get me started on him! As soon as I got pregnant with his child he started to resent my daughter from my previous relationship and started to bully her and bully me if I didn't side with him. Life became unbearable and I ended things. He said as I ended it, it was clear I didn't need him so I didn't need him to help with our child as I could 'obviously' do it alone and he has told me he has emptied his bank account and savings to go abroad long-term to 'clear his head' so is not in a position to help provide. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: He just changed so quickly, his sister told me it was because he couldn't cope with the stress of the complications I was having at the time, so it was lovely that on top of those I had to deal with a bully and then a relationship breakdown. When I was told that the landlord was happy to continue with the tenancy I thought at least I had had a bit of luck and at least I didn't have to worry about my home pfft

EastMidsGal

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Once the notice expires, the landlord is in a strong position with regard to you vacating. However, I'm sure he will also want to maintain the rental income for as long as possible so it would be unlikely (and expensive) for him to act on it, as long as you both understand the mutual benefit of the S21. At the end of the day, in a depressed market, the property may well remain unsold for quite some time (even longer without viewings). And in the mean time, the council have time to assist you without the need for B+B. Everyone's a winner.

That makes sound sense. Everyone who I have spoken to CAB, Shelter etc could tell me my rights and the process etc but no one has been able to give me advice on what to actually do and I just haven't known what to do for the best so I have gone along with the viewings to show co-operation and have just tried to remain optimistic but your suggestion above makes a whole load of sense and the options LLs still remain open, just by being served the S21 doesn't necessarily mean I will be evicted and my best outcome scenario of the house not selling may still happen and I will be able to stay. :T Of course even if he doesn't sell the house he could decide he doesn't want me as a tenant anymore and act on it, but that could happen under the new tenancy anyway

EastMidsGal

girleight@ wrote: »

I agree that you need to tell the landlord your situation. He would have an absolute nightmare if he got an offer on the house and then you refused to move. You could even explain this to the viewers. I would never buy a house for myself if I thought the tenants would be staying! Then you could encourage people buying it with you in it that you are a good tenant. You have a lot of power in some ways.
Of course it isn't the landlord's problem that you're pregnant but it's not your problem that he wants to sell the house.
What a rubbish situation though. I hope you can manage to relax and not stress too much

I have the landlords address in my tenancy, I will write him a letter tomorrow, it can't do any harm. I have explained to the LA that as I am going through the council I can't just move, but they don't get it.

neas

I think you worrying too much, they wont sell the house for months yet. Just sit it out, allow viewings and play along. Unfortunately this is the downside to relying on benefits/council aid.. its less in your hands and more in theirs.

But most likely what will happen is a buyer wont be foudn and you will still be in said property for next 6 months.

EastMidsGal

Thanks for the continued advice, help and support

I had an update from the lettings agent today, they are serving me notice to quit which I will receive soon in the post however they gave me a heads up via email. So assuming it arrives next week it will expire the first week of April, I am due the 28th April. Have no choice but to ride it out and go along with the councils procedures and just hope things work out for the best, but like, I think it was Wee Willy Harris that said it, even when the notice expires the landlord may not act on it

Hump

Quick question - when the council helped you out previously was it as a result of having made a homelessness application to them? It's a long shot as most council's deliberately refuse to take homeless applications choosing rather to 'prevent' homelessness. But if they did accept a 'main' homelessness duty to you previously and then rehoused you in the private sector then there's a chance they still have that 'duty' (unless you agreed that the AST ceased their duty).

That aside, this time you should insist in making a homelessness application and insist they give you a written decision (a s184 Housing Act 1996 decision). Assuming they accept a 'main' homelessness duty then there are only certain prescribed ways they can bring that duty to an end - sourcing a mutually acceptable private tenancy can do it (with your explicit agreement).

Their code of guidance states they should not have blanket policies in place meaning tenants have to remain in their property until a court order or warrant are obtained by the landlord. If they suggest anything like that then ensure you get their written agreement that they will reimburse you the inevitable legal/ court fees which you will incur. If they won't agree then seek advice (and/or complain)

Most councils won't talk to you until you have the s21 notice, and many will decline to allow you to make a homeless application until you are within 28 days of that notice expiring.

Plus they are not allowed to place families in B&B hotels apart from in an emergency and then for no longer than 6 weeks. If you have no friends/ family to stay with temporarily whilst they house you then most councils will look at alternatives including 'family hostels' (eek), non-secure tenancies from their own stock or possibly a property through some form of leasing scheme (where they make all the arrangements) - remember the accommodation should be in their area if possible and should be affordable for you.

EastMidsGal

I received an email from the lettings agent today. As the viewings were causing me such distress as I am very heavily pregnant now and very tired and not able to be active I was advised to refuse viewings until I moved out, when the landlord and his agent could do as they wished, as it was disturbing the quiet enjoyment of my home

Today I received this email:

The landlord is now very desperate to sell and he has insisted I try and do viewings. We could pick up a set of keys and let us know a time you are out to get people in if that would help. I really don’t want to upset you and I hope this will be the best way. The owner has said that if we cannot have the keys then he will change the locks to allow us access for viewings and we would then provide you with the new keys. I really don’t want it to come to this though so I hope we can cooperate together. Let me know today (before I see him tomorrow afternoon) what you can do.

Thing is I don't go out much, I am absolutely exhausted all of the time and feel very dizzy and faint when I move around. I am also very breathless as the baby is pressing against my chest. I have been told to take things very easy and to keep stress to an absolute minimum, as I explained to the agents, viewings are not conducive to this. However the landlord seems adamant to carry out viewings whether I like it or not

Just feeling so stressed about things now. I was trying to stay calm until we had to move, which is three weeks before my due date, and I don't want or need constant pressure and harassment for the next two months

ViolaLass

"The owner has said that if we cannot have the keys then he will change the locks to allow us access for viewings and we would then provide you with the new keys."

In other words, unless you cooperate, he intends to force his way into your home.

I'm no expert but that has to be illegal, surely? Could the OP go to the police with a complaint of harassment (or would that not help?)? If she needs to rest, would it be worth getting her doctor involved?

N79

EastMidsGal wrote: »

I received an email from the lettings agent today. As the viewings were causing me such distress as I am very heavily pregnant now and very tired and not able to be active I was advised to refuse viewings until I moved out, when the landlord and his agent could do as they wished, as it was disturbing the quiet enjoyment of my home

Today I received this email:



Thing is I don't go out much, I am absolutely exhausted all of the time and feel very dizzy and faint when I move around. I am also very breathless as the baby is pressing against my chest. I have been told to take things very easy and to keep stress to an absolute minimum, as I explained to the agents, viewings are not conducive to this. However the landlord seems adamant to carry out viewings whether I like it or not

Just feeling so stressed about things now. I was trying to stay calm until we had to move, which is three weeks before my due date, and I don't want or need constant pressure and harassment for the next two months

That email is beyond a joke. They are going to break into the property in order to change the locks to allow themselves unrestricted future access against the express wishes of the T - I think not. This action is illegal as it is clear harassment.

Given that you don't feel up to visitors (your choice as it is your home) all you can really do is write back to the agents re-iterating that you do not want to allow viewings while you are in possession of the property and that you do not agree to the LL accessing the property to change the locks. You could point out that if they do either you will not hesitate to report them to the police.

You have come across as very reasonable in this thread. This recent missive from your LL (their agent) has crossed the line. If you need any more help then feel free to ask or use the other sources that people have mentioned.

N79

ViolaLass wrote: »

"The owner has said that if we cannot have the keys then he will change the locks to allow us access for viewings and we would then provide you with the new keys."

In other words, unless you cooperate, he intends to force his way into your home.

I'm no expert but that has to be illegal, surely? Could the OP go to the police with a complaint of harassment (or would that not help?)? If she needs to rest, would it be worth getting her doctor involved?

Yes, such action on the part of the LL would be illegal and has the potential to be punished by a long gaol sentence (although non violent first offences do not usually attract custody).