URGENT advice needed. Letting agent threatening to change locks on my door

ruggedtoast

QuantumSuccess wrote: »

Having spoken to my carer etc, the plan of action I've decided is most realistic for me is to do the following:

1. Sort out the issue of the lock with the Fire Prevention Officer ASAP. If I have done something wrong and the lock doesn't comply to regulations, then hire a locksmith to sort it. Write to LL/LA to let them know what I've done. If the lock is deemed fine by the Fire Prevention Officer - get that in writing and forward a copy of the document to the LL/LA

2. Sit tight. Continue paying rent. Plan to move out when my lease expires. This gives me a longer period to calm down and find a place to move to that I will really like and not feel rushed and terrified.

3. If this case does make it to court - make sure I have all the correspondence and paperwork and go there and present my case.

The idea of simply moving out in the next couple of weeks (if the LL would agree to an early surrender) is a very pleasant idea but realistically I do not feel I am up to coping with all the stress that moving entails right now. My carer thinks I should stay put for as long as I can, in fact I should stay here until a section 21 is served and has expired, so that I can "stabilize" and take things at a relatively gentle pace, pack my things up slowly and so on.

Thoughts?

Anything else I should be doing?

This is obviously a long thread and I havent read it all so this may have been said, but there are two issues here. Firstly what the legislation surrounding housing law says, and secondly what standard ASTs say. The first trumps the second, especially when the second contains unfair terms.

Incidentally this is is a common theme with all kinds of contracts especially employment ones.

There are all kinds of things your AST says you cant do, like having pets, smoking, having children, changing locks, and putting up pictures, that do not relate to actual housing law and would not be seen as reason to evict you early. Regardless of you having signed to agree to these terms.

If the LL wants to try their luck and gain early possession for any of this they have to go to court. I think its unlikely they would win in your case, but they can obviously serve you notice to quit in the end.

Contacting your landlord seems to be the only option now, especially as you will probably need him for a reference for the next place. If you think you will have trouble finding another private rental you have no choice but to wait until you are evicted and hope the council rehome you.

oldone_2

My own thoughts are that the LA is not as thick as he appears to be. He may have someone who wants to move into the property fairly quickly, and thinks that serving a section 8, together with some abusive e-mails will get you out quicker than using section 21.

princeofpounds

My own thoughts are that the LA is not as thick as he appears to be. He may have someone who wants to move into the property fairly quickly, and thinks that serving a section 8, together with some abusive e-mails will get you out quicker than using section 21.

Indeed something like this is quite possible. Either that or the agent has a temper problem.

dancingfairy

O.K so Quantum what do you want to happen? Would you be happy to stay provided you can have a secondary lock (prerferably the lock you've currently got) and no contact with the letting agents or do you actually want to move?
Regarding moving - do you have money to move? deposit etc? If not you will need to see if the council can provide any assistance to you regarding help with a despoit or something. Are you able to try and save a bit up now?
Best of Luck
df

QuantumSuccess

The LA has done a U-Turn. They no longer want me to leave.

Thefunkygibbons

That is for the best

Common sense rules

KiKi

QuantumSuccess wrote: »

The LA has done a U-Turn. They no longer want me to leave.

Was this as a result of your LL getting involved?

Are they still insisting your lock is 'non-compliant'?

KiKi

QuantumSuccess

The LL just got my letter on Saturday afternoon. The LA is being quite chilled about the lock now as well and says there's no urgency on that issue.

Bizarre.

I've found another place to move into. Now I have to figure out whether to stay or go!

silvercar

QuantumSuccess wrote: »

The LL just got my letter on Saturday afternoon. The LA is being quite chilled about the lock now as well and says there's no urgency on that issue.

Bizarre.

I've found another place to move into. Now I have to figure out whether to stay or go!

Sounds like the LL put the LA in their place.

At least the ball is in your court now. Take your time and decide what you want. I suspect that the LA will now behave more reasonably.

ovoreo

QuantumSuccess wrote: »

The LL just got my letter on Saturday afternoon. The LA is being quite chilled about the lock now as well and says there's no urgency on that issue.

Bizarre.

I am totally shocked at the way you have been treated and for the LA to u-turn with little or no explanation is equally as shocking. Now you must do what will make you feel the most secure and happy and I suspect staying put is not an option now. Unless your LL ditches the agent and gives you a private agreement. Could you perhaps explain to us how the u-turn came about? Did they admit they were wrong? Do they still disagree about the lock? Do they still want you out in 10 weeks at the end of your current tenancy? Well done you for staying so strong.