Renting - feeling the pressure...

Tygermoth

Heres the short version. Very long term tenancy on a country estate farm cottage. Neighbours been there 40yrs,20yrs and 18yrs I have been here 8yrs. Due to the nature of the estate and housing expected to be here very long term as the houses are held in trust and can’t be sold. Section 21 notice received by everyone In the cottages. Turns out the landowner has found a way around the trust and sold all the houses (on vacant possession)

So here we are, we have one dog, three cats and 12 chickens. 8yrs of stuff and 6 weeks to move. (the chickens are not going with us so we are not advising potential LL that we have chickens btw)

We have been looking for a house full time but we are very limited as nowhere will take animals. We keep our house immaculate and the pets have never damaged a single thing. We are happy to pay a lot extra on a deposit and agree more frequent review of the house until the LL can see we are model tenants. Still no.

To my problem.

The first house we viewed DOES take pets (not the chickens but we have an allotment they can go to if needs be, I don’t like it but heyho) and the house is lovely, it’s got huge rooms, off road parking, nicely laid out. good sized garden lots of storage and is a low price.

A few things put me off though The land lord seems desperate to get us in and from a few things that have been said she seems to need the money. The property has been vacant for some time. We would need to replace the carpets because they are good quality but the ugliest nastiest pattern I have ever seen (made me dizzy) however on investigation the area is not good. It’s between two schools and apparently there is quite a bit of vandalism and drunken teenagers loitering. But I repeat, it’s the ONLY house so far to fully agree pets.

I am starting to panic, time is swiftly ticking down and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this house except where it is.
We don’t have any other irons in the fire where housing is concerned. One of the old coach houses on the estate is up for rent (different landowner) but he’s quibbling, not about the pets so much he is reluctant, but that the coach house is furnished.

So we are nearly at five weeks until d day and we have one slightly overpriced lovely unusual house which is detached, in the country side on the estate we are used to but the landlord is messing us about. A pushy landlord of a large fab modern house, but in a bad area, whose agent is ringing everyday. The perfect house a mixture of both that we were very excited about and the agent said the LL would consider pets. After our viewing and making an offer, came back last night and said they had spoken to the LL and he advised that he would not consider pets until the house had been vacant for some time (it was newly listed) we have petitioned him further (bigger deposit, frequent checks, our agents ref and that we are looking to rent for another 8yrs!) but we have been told no he would come back to us if not let in three months time.

We have now gone through all the local houses up for rent. Rightmove and local agents. No to all the rest.

Any pearls of wisdom, ideas? Any thoughts on the above. Just take the bad house? wait it out? Anyone with ideas where to find further rentals that might not be with agents?

arrrgggh

ps we had to take out a loan to cover the moving fee, deposits ect. so when we move we will not be able to do so again for 2 years at least.

19lottie82

The reality is, in your situation you're going to have to make some compromises when looking for a place at such short notice, especially with your pets. The first house you talk about has a couple of negatives but a lot of positives. Can you not sign a six month ast and see how things go, keeping an eye out for somewhere else if it really doesn't suit? You say the LL is desperate to get you in, can you not wiggle a reduced rent for a few months and offset the cash for some new (well second hand) carpets in a room or two?

Pixie5740

I know from your other post you were served notice on your current rental property but you don't necessarily have to vacate on the date given in the notice. Did you speak with Shelter? What did they say?

Tygermoth

Hi 19lottie82,

thank you for your comments.

We just could not afford to move again! once in we will have to stay for at least 2 yrs to pay off the loan we had to take out to pay the deposits (as extra for pets) van hire etc. So if the place is as bad as the locals say we will have to just put up with it. (ps i lived on a hell hole estate some years ago and would rather not go back to a similar area if i can help it)

Pixie5740,

Thank you

the agents were very clear if we dont vacate on the date noted on the section 21 they will decline to give us a refrence and with pets they know we need one!

Pixie5740

Tygermoth wrote: »

Pixie5740,

Thank you

the agents were very clear if we don't vacate on the date noted on the section 21 they will decline to give us a refrence and with pets they know we need one!

Don't let the gits threaten you with a bad reference and don't let them pressure you into moving until you've found somewhere suitable. Some LA and LL threaten tenants with a bad reference but if you find somewhere to move to, and they want you to move then they would be bloody idiots to jeopardise the move by giving a bad reference.

If you haven't already done so please phone Shelter for advice. The notice you have received might not even be valid.

kunekune22

Do be aware, too, that even if they SAY it's a long-term tenancy, it doesn't bind them. The only way to ensure you don't have to move again in two years is a two year lease, and they are like hen's teeth. I'm so sorry that you are going through this and I just don't want you to spend lots of money, eg, on carpets, and then have to move again in 6 months. If you do take the place with horrible carpets, put rugs down.

Tygermoth

Hello all,

I forgot (as it was late and i was upset) that i started another thread. as such i will be updating that one as more advice.

Sorry for the inconvenience but you can pop over there from here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4896590