Landlord Changes His Mind...

mutter

Daughter and 3 housemates were given 2 months notice on their current flat after their landlord died.

They have to be out by Saturday 28th and had found a nice, newly renovated house for which they were due to collect the keys last Saturday 21st. Perfect.

Because of work etc, they decided to do the bulk of the move on the 21st and had hired a van for the day.

Half an hour before they were due to collect the keys, they were called by the agent who was at the house and said there was a problem with the plumbing and the electricity supply and as she considered it to be unfit for habitation, they would not be able to get in that day.
She called back later to say she'd had tradesmen in and they could move in on Tuesday 24th.

Come this afternoon (Monday) and the agent called again, full of apologies, to say that the landlord had decided the standard of renovation was so poor, he had decided not to let the house after all!

Sounds a little weird because daughter and friends had been round the house twice and hadn't noticed any issues.
Still, you can't force anyone to let, I suppose.

This whole sorry saga has left 4 people homeless as of Saturday and considerably out of pocket from two aborted van hires and now the prospect of putting all their furniture and effects in storage.

All the agent is prepared to do is refund the money they have paid so far - deposit, fees for references etc - but nothing to compensate for extra costs and the difficulties they are now facing.

Is there any financial redress to be had here?

jackomdj

Had they signed a lease?

mutter

No, they'd paid a holding fee, reference fees etc, but they were supposed to sign the contract at the property when they keys were handed over.

michaelvintner

theartfullodger wrote: »

Assuming the notice they were given was a Section 21 notice they don't have to leave (yet). Several months & court action before that happens.

Before resorting to that could they not just get in touch with their current landlord (Or the people dealing with the estate). I am assuming that the estate wants vacant possession for the sale of the flat however if it was agreed they could stay another month that would give them a bit of breathing space and time to find another place. It would also give the estate another months rent money.

I feel for the people mentioned such a rubbish situation to be put in.

mutter

It was, and they've thought about it, but the letting agents round there all seem to know each other and it might brand them as 'difficult customers'.

New agent spoke to old agent before agreeing to take formal references on the new place, old agent is calling round his mates to see if they've got anything suitable and has promised to 'put a good word in' etc

mutter

michaelvintner wrote: »

Before resorting to that could they not just get in touch with their current landlord (Or the people dealing with the estate). I am assuming that the estate wants vacant possession for the sale of the flat however if it was agreed they could stay another month that would give them a bit of breathing space and time to find another place. It would also give the estate another months rent money.

I feel for the people mentioned such a rubbish situation to be put in.

They've spoken to the old agent, the flat was sold 6 weeks ago and the buyers are champing at the bit to get in.

In order to keep my original post briefish, I didn't mention that the landlord of their current flat died over a year ago and the flat went up for sale while they were in situ.
Apparently contracts have been exchanged and buyers are waiting for vacant possession before completing.

michaelvintner

mutter wrote: »

They've spoken to the old agent, the flat was sold 6 weeks ago and the buyers are champing at the bit to get in.

Ouch, not a good situation to be in. I really feel for them. Look on the positive side though it sound like the place they were going to move to had a wally as a landlord. They are probably better off being nowhere near him/her. Looks like stuff in storage and family or friend may be the best option. Hope they get it sorted as it sound like they have done everything right and been let down at the last moment.

Are the people who have brought their place moving or renting it out?.

mutter

They're going to live in it themselves.
They've been camping out with friends for a couple of weeks already as their child started at the local school at the start of term.

zarf2007

mutter wrote: »

They've spoken to the old agent, the flat was sold 6 weeks ago and the buyers are champing at the bit to get in.

In order to keep my original post briefish, I didn't mention that the landlord of their current flat died over a year ago and the flat went up for sale while they were in situ.
Apparently contracts have been exchanged and buyers are waiting for vacant possession before completing.

this may sound mercenary but they technically have the new owners by the B***s. As they have exchanged with tenants in place (which you should never do unless you are a BTL landlord and it suits) they could demand 'compensation' to move or failing that dig in and delay the purchase, this would replace the money they lost!

i'm sure that not all landlords know each other around there.

michaelvintner

zarf2007 wrote: »

this may sound mercenary but they technically have the new owners by the B***s. As they have exchanged with tenants in place (which you should never do unless you are a BTL landlord and it suits) they could demand 'compensation' to move or failing that dig in and delay the purchase, this would replace the money they lost!

i'm sure that not all landlords know each other around there.

It's not the new owners fault that the place they intended to move to was owned by a Cowboy. Why should the new owners be put out. How would you feel if the same thing happened to you. I rent and if I am asked to move I will move providing I am given the 2 months required notice.

Guest101

michaelvintner wrote: »

It's not the new owners fault that the place they intended to move to was owned by a Cowboy. Why should the new owners be put out. How would you feel if the same thing happened to you. I rent and if I am asked to move I will move providing I am given the 2 months required notice.

The two months notice you receive is notice to seek repossesion, not notice to vacate/quit. So the tenants do not have to leave.

The new owners are also very ilinformed', they should never have exchanged without vacant possession