Scumbag Developer LL's and Lettings Agents

jyonda

We have just started renting a house, haven't even moved in yet and just found out by accident that the LL wants to build another house on the land we have rented!!!
We only found out because I was checking the parking restrictions on the road outside the property and on the post was a sign from the council saying a planning application to build an end of terrace on our rented property has been submitted. The house is currently an end of terrace with a garage on the side and a nice big garden which they will obviously be chopping in half and taking from us, not to mention the building works.
I can't believe how underhand the have been about this either. They bought the house in October and we viewed the property in November with the lettings agent but this notice from the council only appeared on the 27th of December, 3 days before we signed the contracts! They must have known we wouldn't have signed if we knew as we have small kids so they waited to make the application. Scumbags.
The agents rented the place to us knowing we wanted somewhere indefinitely and they must have known the LL's intention beforehand as they are regular clients. It now loooks like they were after someone to pay the mortgage while the planning apllication goes through then turf us out if we don't agree to live through the building works and give up half the garden and the off street parking.

Surely they can't actually start the building works until the contract has ended? Surely this would breach our quiet enjoyment of the property? At the very least the contract would have to be re negotiated to reflect the loss of the outside spaces?

So it looks like we'll be moving in 6 months again as whatever happens we won't want to live through the works and wouldn't want to live there after.
We are really dissapointed as we wanted somewhere to settle but if a LL can turf you out when they please, a rented house will never truely be a home. That's why people are so desperate to buy their own house, even with the threat of rising interest rates and unemployment. But that's another subject.

My girlfriends in tears, we haven't moved in yet and we are already thinking about moving out

Scumbags.

Gorgeous_George

If you have rented the garden and house as it is, the LL cannot start building works without your permission.

When the tenancy expires (6 months?) you will be able to move and the LL can do what (s)he wants with his/her property.

ASTs can be for periods from 6 months to 2 years - worth remembering in future.

Would a reduced rent make the tenancy more bearable.

Houses are in short supply and your LL will be providing a home for another family.

There's no guarantee that your LL would have renewed your tenancy after 6 months.

Best wishes



GG

jyonda

GG- You make it sound very easy to move a family of 4 every 6 months! This is a typical LL's view because it's just a business deal to them. To us it's our LIVES.

Aside from the massive disruption and not wanting to settle there because we will move again in 6 months time, there are costs associated with renting elsewhere.
My question is why rent to US? They knew they would make significant changes in the near future and it would not be suitable for us after. They could have found someone who WANTED a short lease but they rented it to people they KNEW it would be hugely disruptive for. The market is good in our area so no problems there.

lush_walrus

All your landlords have actually done so far is lodge a planning application, who knows firstly if they are actually going to get permission, let alone whether they are planning to build it now or far into the future. Planning permission if they get it, is valid for 5 years. Before you jump around and panic, why not pick up the phone and speak to your landlord and ask them what their intention is? Who knows it might not be as grim as you think.

As far as the Letting agents are concerned, they work for your landlord not for you. It is not their place to tell you about things such as your landlords longterm plans unless your landlord has asked for such.

Landlords want their properties to be let, sitting empty does not make them money, you came along, they liked the idea of having you as a tennant and in you went.

The problem with renting is that you are living in something that someone else owns, it is their property, and as such they can choose to apply for planning permission if they wish.

Greed

All the more reason why 1 normal wage should be able to afford 1 normal house. It should be a basic human right. Even better if it didn't involve high interest payments to banks. Funny how governments obsess over the rights of terrorists, but ignore the people who make the rich rich.
All this BTL is only going to end in tears if single people stay at home with their parents (like they do in Europe).

btloptingout

Gorgeous_George wrote:

Houses are in short supply and your LL will be providing a home for another family.

I can't believe you have said that!
Are you trying to make the LL sound like he is doing this for altruistic reasons?

The LL is doing this for one reason: PROFIT.
There's nothing wrong with that, but spare us the MBE recomendation.
:rotfl:

jyonda

All your landlords have actually done so far is lodge a planning application, who knows firstly if they are actually going to get permission, let alone whether they are planning to build it now or far into the future. Planning permission if they get it, is valid for 5 years. Before you jump around and panic, why not pick up the phone and speak to your landlord and ask them what their intention is? Who knows it might not be as grim as you think.

As far as the Letting agents are concerned, they work for your landlord not for you. It is not their place to tell you about things such as your landlords longterm plans unless your landlord has asked for such.

Landlords want their properties to be let, sitting empty does not make them money, you came along, they liked the idea of having you as a tennant and in you went.

Like I said, it totally changes our perspective on the place because not matter what, at some point not of our choosing in the next year or 2 the LL will be altering the property significantly. Do you not think it underhand to delay the application to reduce the chances of us finding out beforehand?

btloptingout

jyonda wrote:

My girlfriends in tears, we haven't moved in yet and we are already thinking about moving out

I do think it is underhand and I think you've got a case to revoke the contract you have signed. I'd ring the LL/Agent and tell them you have issue with what has happened and you are considering legal advice of annulling the contract.

silvercar

You are making a lot of assumptions. Surely the best thing to do would be to speak to the landlord?

There is a long way to go before building work would start; planning permission has not yet even been obtained.

The landlord could just be trying to increase the value of the property to release equity.

If you wanted a long term let, that is what you should have looked for rather than signing a 6 month term.

I really think you should keep communications open rather than get aggressive before you have found out the facts.

Gorgeous_George

jyonda wrote:

GG- You make it sound very easy to move a family of 4 every 6 months! This is a typical LL's view because it's just a business deal to them. To us it's our LIVES.

Aside from the massive disruption and not wanting to settle there because we will move again in 6 months time, there are costs associated with renting elsewhere.
My question is why rent to US? They knew they would make significant changes in the near future and it would not be suitable for us after. They could have found someone who WANTED a short lease but they rented it to people they KNEW it would be hugely disruptive for. The market is good in our area so no problems there.

As lush walrus says, you do not know what the LL wants to do.

I know how difficult it is to move home, having done so a number of times. I also know that, even owning your own home, you have little control over neighbours' planning applications. It is far more hassle and expensive if you own rather than rent.

I agree that, if the LL has imminent plans to develop the property, he should, out of courtesy, let you know before the agreement was signed.

Whilst I would love to have long term tenants, I fear that I would not like tenants with your attitude towards their landlord. Respect is a two-way street.

I wish you well and suggest that you ask future potential LLs if they have any plans to develop the property.



GG

Gorgeous_George

btloptingout wrote:

I can't believe you have said that!
Are you trying to make the LL sound like he is doing this for altruistic reasons?

The LL is doing this for one reason: PROFIT.
There's nothing wrong with that, but spare us the MBE recomendation.
:rotfl:

I know neither the LL nor his motivation. I do know that BTL is not a get rich quick scheme.

I also know that house prices are high and that by increasing the number of houses available, the upwards pressure on prices will reduce thereby benefitting everyone.

And yes, it is probable that the LL is maximiing his investment - who wouldn't in the same situation?



GG