Help!..Homeless!!!Deceived by Lettings Agency/Landlord

Travelqueen

Not a solution, but you could also try places like Gumtree / Spareroom for a short term rental so you don't jeapordise your new job?
Hope you can get it resolved better than resorting to this though.

Angie_pangie_2

Werdnal wrote: »

To be fair, whilst I do not condone the LL's actions here, you do not know the full facts for their decision. They should have told you sooner, but perhaps it may not be greed - why would they charge a family friend more than you? Perhaps the friend has had some crisis/relationship breakdown etc and needs to move somewhere at short notice.

As I said, it is very unprofessional of the LL to string you along this far then drop you, but given the choice of renting to someone you didn't know, or helping a long term friend out of some dire situation - wouldn't you do the same?

I sympathise with your situation but lets not crucify the LL without knowing the full facts here!

Where do I begin? Not very helpful are you? Someone's about to be homeless and jobless and you're talking about the landlords rights, imaginary friend in distress when tenants in this country are being exploited left, right and centre by people cashing in on this problem, it's people like you that have encouraged this culture of exorbitant rentals for hardworking people living in the outskirts of the city while benefit scroungers live in the centre along with celebrities.

duchy

Well it has happened and it's legal so rather than taking pot shots at all and sundry (He does have a point -landlords are businesses so long as they act within the law which he appears to have done -it's a waste of time you don't have at this point when you need to be sorting out your alternatives) you need to get your deposit back quickly-
That's the priority as you no longer trust the letting agency (unless they have another suitable property and the deposit/references can be transferred to that which might save a lot of time -IF you feel it's the LL messing you both around and not the LA's fault)

You've not mentioned the city but if it's coastal you may find a short term holiday let might tide you over and not tie you into a longer commitment (and you could probably get a good deal as it's off season) whilst you look and go through references etc.

Is it a big company you're going to work for -might they be able to help? Even if there's a company intranet where you could advertise for accomadation or suggestions ?

Honestly I know you're as mad as heck right now but you need to focus your energy on a solution and not waste it on something you can't change.

Werdnal

Angie_pangie wrote: »

Where do I begin? Not very helpful are you? Someone's about to be homeless and jobless and you're talking about the landlords rights, imaginary friend in distress when tenants in this country are being exploited left, right and centre by people cashing in on this problem, it's people like you that have encouraged this culture of exorbitant rentals for hardworking people living in the outskirts of the city while benefit scroungers live in the centre along with celebrities.

Pardon me, but I was not attacking you in any way, and whilst I understand you are justifyably angry at your "lost" LL, don't tar me with the same brush. I did try to advise you in an earlier reply, but you then explained you were moving to a new area anyway, so the problem with you possibly being homeless through your existing LL's neglect of the rules for notice and eviction did not apply.

I am not extoling LLs rights - in fact I usually side with tenants here over the appalling way they are often treated, and take pride in giving supportive advice to those like you who are in a crisis. I was merely pointing out that there are 2 sides to every story, and the LL here may have had good reason to change things at the last minute - but at the same time, I was not condoning that they did.

Please do not run away with the idea I have created any of the situation you or many other tenants find themselves in. I have not reviewed my rent for 2 years, due to the fact I have an excellent tenant and want him to stay long term. Many LLs appreciate good tenants, and want to keep them, we do everything by the book, and we are not all money-grabbing, or greedy.

Ranting at me is not going to solve your problem - you have been treated badly, but what's done is done, move on, make plans and get your situation sorted. I hope you find some solution and apologies if you feel my reply was unhelpful. I would appreciate an apology from you for your unnecessary attack on me, but as you are obviously angry at your situation and therefore apparently angry at all LLs, I understand if that is not forthcoming.

Good luck with your move and your new job!

poppysarah

phill99 wrote: »

The councils have lost most of their stock due to Right to Buy (you have Mrs Thatcher to thank for that), and the money that ws raised was not allowed to be used for building new public sector stock.

Its a national disgrace. And successive Governments have encouraged it.

Don't blame mrs thatcher for it all.

Individual local authorities have always had the ability to sell council houses to their tenants, but until the early 1970s such sales were extremely rare

What did 13 years of labour govt do about it?

duchy

Imaginary friends of the LL, LA properties alongside celebrity housing and blaming/not blaming the tories/evil landlords is all very well but doesn't really solve the immediate problem (unless the OP just wanted a rant and has it all in hand anyway )

Angie_pangie_2

duchy wrote: »

(unless the OP just wanted a rant and has it all in hand anyway )

Can you not see the first post where I've asked for help and advice? Where am I ranting? Pointing out that there are corrupt, exploitative and greedy people is not a rant, it's a fact in today's world.

Either way I've not received any advice that gives me a glimmer of hope, some have been helpful and sympathetic and maybe this is my last post on here, as it's pretty pointless anyway and it's turning into a meta thread with no relevance to my problems now. Typical of the internet!!

tbs624

Can you not see the first post where I've asked for help and advice? Where am I ranting? Pointing out that there are corrupt, exploitative and greedy people is not a rant, it's a fact in today's world.

Either way I've not received any advice that gives me a glimmer of hope, some have been helpful and sympathetic and maybe this is my last post on here, as it's pretty pointless anyway and it's turning into a meta thread with no relevance to my problems now. Typical of the internet!!

OP -

You have spent a fair bit of your own posts having a rant about your own view of LLs in general , rather than sticking to how best to move things forward.

The way you have apparently been treated *is* shoddy but that does not mean that all LLs are guilty of shoddy behaviour and being rude to respond posters because of the frustration created by your personal situation isn't helping.

You *have* had some helpful suggestions, especially in Pastures New's post.

Can this LA find you another property asap? If they can't, or you don't want to pursue that possibility , then write to them insisting that they repay that original holding fee in full as they have been unable to proceed with a rental for you ( send a copy of the letter to the local Trading Standards Officer).

Your best bet is to get your stuff in store and start checking out some temporary alternatives. Contact the local Council and see if they have a list of accredited private sector LLs. Contact the local LL association and see if they can help. Put your own "wanted" ad up in shops and in the local rag. See if a local B&B can give you a good rate for 2-4 weeks stay as a starter.

pinkteapot

Angie_pangie wrote: »

Either way I've not received any advice that gives me a glimmer of hope, some have been helpful and sympathetic and maybe this is my last post on here, as it's pretty pointless anyway and it's turning into a meta thread with no relevance to my problems now. Typical of the internet!!

Unfortunately, it's impossible for us to give you advice that gives you hope as, as others have said, what's happened to you is legal.

It's not fair and it's not morally right, but you have no legal recourse.

You can try complaining and try and get them to change their mind. But then you might end up with a LL who doesn't really want you there so is slow on repairs etc until you give up and move out.

Until the tenancy agreement was signed, either you or the LL could pull out with no warning. I'm afraid your best bet is to ring round lettings agencies and get somewhere new lined up. In most big cities there will be lots of properties available and you should be able to get somewhere on fairly short notice.

Angie_pangie_2

tbs624 wrote: »

OP -

You have spent a fair bit of your own posts having a rant about your own view of LLs in general , rather than sticking to how best to move things forward.

The way you have apparently been treated *is* shoddy but that does not mean that all LLs are guilty of shoddy behaviour and being rude to respond posters because of the frustration created by your personal situation isn't helping.

You *have* had some helpful suggestions, especially in Pastures New's post.

Can this LA find you another property asap? If they can't, or you don't want to pursue that possibility , then write to them insisting that they repay that original holding fee in full as they have been unable to proceed with a rental for you ( send a copy of the letter to the local Trading Standards Officer).

Your best bet is to get your stuff in store and start checking out some temporary alternatives. Contact the local Council and see if they have a list of accredited private sector LLs. Contact the local LL association and see if they can help. Put your own "wanted" ad up in shops and in the local rag. See if a local B&B can give you a good rate for 2-4 weeks stay as a starter.

Well, that's just the way the lettings industry is, I think quite a few of you are LLs and maybe it hurts to hear the obvious facts that you profit from this exploitative situation, I am only stating the scumminess of the whole industry and it's only purpose of exploiting tenants.
I have also found out that the property was listed with multiple agencies which meant deposit or no deposit you're not assured of a property and that the story of ..... LL's family friend in distress is lies, lies and nothing but lies, greed and apathy is what fuels this industry and the apathy that is all too apparent in the world today as evidenced by the comments above.

But thank you for the suggestion of Trading Standards, that was the comment I was looking for. I think I see a glimmer of hope now. They will certainly be reported to the Local Trading Standards and they will get far more than rants or rudeness because I am going to kick up a royal stink.