Every landlord keeps wanting to sell!

banana_chips

Hi there,

I'm a MSE newbie, so greetings all! I have a problem.

Ever since me and my OH moved out together 2 years ago, we've had nothing but bad luck with landlords.

Despite the economic downturn, they all want to sell!

The first place we moved, we had to move out at the 6-month mark because he wanted to put it on the market, the second place we got served notice at 4 months for the same reason, AND we've just been served notice AGAIN by our current landlord for the same reason!

Every landlord tells us that we've been fantastic tenants, and that they couldn't be happier with us, but we never seem to be able to live anywhere for longer than 6 months!

Not only am I worried about what this address-hopping is doing to my credit rating, but we can never afford to put any savings to one side because of having to stump up 6-weeks' worth of deposit, credit check and referencing fees (which are daylight robbery), exit fees, etc, etc.

Every time we start to get settled, we're having to move again! It's putting a lot of emotional stress on both myself and my fiance, and it really puts a strain on our relationship because it feels like we're always starting again, and as soon as we get financially sorted after the move, we have another to plan for!

Can anyone offer any advice that would help us?

Banana_Chips xxx

G_M

It's tough, but there's little you can do besides asking the LL's plans before moving in. But of course this is no guarantee.

You could try asking for a 12 month tenancy, but many LLs are reluctant to grant these till the tenant has shown themselves to be reliable in the initial 6months.

Reminds me of dentists. I've lived here 15 years and had 7.

Each time I register, a year or 2 later they announce they are going private, so I find a new NHS dentist and.....

Again, not much I can do.

BitterAndTwisted

There's really no alternative but to make it clear to any prospective landlord that you're looking to rent long-term.

Still, having to move from pillar-to-post shouldn't have any effect on your credit-files unless you leave unpaid debts littered behind you like confetti.

My own feeling is that there are far too many "accidental' landlords about how stave off selling because they were hoping to see prices rising, and sell up when they accept that they probably won't in the short-term.

hamster2013

agreed with above
try a 2 year contract with a 1year minimum break clause
that will secure you - and the land lord

Okydoky25

Welcome to my world. I've had 1 sell up and 2 repossed out of 5.
My current place a stupidly requested 12 months but realised early on that we had problems but on the flip side the LL is also due to have the house repossessed and wants to try and sell it ASAP so we have negotiated out of the agreement so for once its worked in our favour.

Feel your pain about finding all the money needed for the moves it must have cost us at least £1k a year so far on top of high rents!

banana_chips

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

We have asked for the Landlords' plans every time we've moved in, and we always get the same story -

'You'll be here for years...'

Of course, a Landlord isn't obliged to tell you that, actually, they just want their rent paid until they can put it on the market, which could be anywhere between 4 months up to a year.

We've even discussed moving back home, but it would be so tough losing our privacy even though we'd be saving money.

We have got a great track record with our previous landlords though; surely good references would be enough for a Landlord to possibly agree to a longer let?

Banana_Chips xxx

terryw

banana_chips wrote: »

Not only am I worried about what this address-hopping is doing to my credit rating, but we can never afford to put any savings to one side because of having to stump up 6-weeks' worth of deposit, credit check and referencing fees (which are daylight robbery), exit fees, etc, etc.



Can anyone offer any advice that would help us?

Banana_Chips xxx

Got to agree with you about the daylight robbery.

Many landlords let without using agents. Why not be proactive and spend a few quid on a wanted advert in the newspaper or in local shopwindows?

"Professional working couple with excellent references require 2 year let in the Utopia area. No children or pets and bond available."