5 Houses in 1.5 years plus a 1 year old

thesaint

pieceoffluff wrote: »

my neighbours were asked to leave after six months but they decided not to leave as they had nowhere to go/not afford to move ...the LL has to go through the courts and get balliffs round to reove them...once my neighbours have the balliff letter they'll show it to the council to get rehoused....however they are on housing benefit so it maybe different to your situation..... do some research heres a good starting point from the citizens advice bureau

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/housing/frequently_asked_questions_about_housing.htm#IhadtoleavemylasthomeandnowIhavenowheret

This would be a last resort, if a council official states this, always ask them;
"What about the court costs and bailiffs fees that I would be liable for and cannot pay"?

zzzLazyDaisy

First, the minimum term for an assured shorthold tenancy is 6 months. The landlord cannot terminate before that time and must give you a minimum of 2 months notice. I suspect that the notice has been given at 3 months, but is intended to expire at the end of the 6 month tenancy. Sadly agencies get commission on every new let, so it suits them to end the tenancy and re-let the place.

Secondly the advice to stay put and wait for court proceedings is good advice, if a little (lot?) scary!

My daughter was in exactly the same position as you. The council was not obliged to re-house her as until she had actually been evicted she was not legally homeless (she had 3 children and a small baby). So when the notice expired, she stayed put. It is a criminal offence to use force or harassment to evict a tenant, so the only thing the landlord can do is start court proceedings. She had to go to a court hearing and the judge was very sympathetic and kind to her. He explained to the landlord that she really had no choice but to go through this procedure because it is the only way the council would re-house them.

She was on WTC so she qualified for legal aid. This is important because it means the landlord could not ask the court to order her to pay their solicitors costs.

Once the court order was made and she had a date for eviction, the council had an obligation to house her, and she got a council house.

Having said that, it might not be in the best part of town...

Good luck!

Daisy