landlord not renewing tenancy - Help

jules-2005

I've privately rented my house coming up for 5 years. The renewal is up on 1st May. The landlord has rung me tonight to say he couldn't afford to buy his ex wife out of the house so she is buying him out and will be moving in when the tenancy ends.

I am a single part time working mum with 3 kids aged 10, 12 & 13. The rent is £850 a month and I get £349 fortnightly housing benefit so I make up the shortfall in rent.

My trouble is that I can't afford to rent any of the few and far between privately rented houses in this area. This house was a bit run down so the rent was fairly cheap in comparison to others round here and hasn't been increased since I've been here. I don't know what to do.next.

I don't know anything about council or social housing and being this late on a Friday I can't contact anyone to ask.

Thanks for any advice that can be offered. I feel shell shocked as I was always promised that this was a long time let

ognum

Firstly you do have time to sort things out so don't worry this weekend. You need to contact your council and ask about housing, they may need you to wait until May. Also read the Shelter website which has lots of useful information.

jules-2005

Thanks Ognum, Easy said then done not to worry but I know I can do nothing until Monday. I've had a look at Shelter thank you. It looks like I may be helped by the council x

Yorkie1

Are you in England / Wales?

Did you pay a deposit?

If so, did the LL protect it within 30 days of you paying it?

Also if so, did you receive the Prescribed Information within 30 days of paying the deposit?

Is this phone call the only notice you've received from the LL?

What are the start and end dates of your present tenancy? Is 1st May the first day of the next tenancy, or the end date of your present tenancy?

Ultimately you will have to move out, but knowing the answers to these questions will help us to let you know more about your options.

G_M

and to put Yorkie's Qs above into context, read:

Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)

jules-2005

I am in England, I signed for 6 months the first time paying £5100 up front then another 6 months paying monthly then signed yearly from then on.

The original commencement date 02 may 2009 expiry date 01 November 2009 (My mistake earlier, thought it was 1st may)

I paid £1275 deposit. it was protected within 30 days. The wording on the assured shorthold tenancy agreement says "the deposit is held by cmRent as stakeholder. cmRent are a member of the Tenancy Deposit scheme which is administered by the dispute Service Ltd. I know it was transferred to another scheme in the last couple of years but haven't got that paperwork to hand at the moment

The phonecall is the only contact I have had so far but I have spoken to the property management company and they were informed via email just after I was spoken to so they are preparing the exit paperwork

BitterAndTwisted

The "exit paperwork" means that you will probably still be there by June. Once they've served the correct paperwork (a valid Section 21 Notice) the landlord will need to apply to the court for possession and he won't be able to do that until your fixed-term has ended. The courts are pretty busy at the moment and he may have to wait months for a date.

ruggedtoast

Realistically your most likely option is to stay put until you are evicted by the courts, then the council should rehome you. You need to be in touch with them every step of the way.

jules-2005

Well that's interesting, I have been talking to Shelter this morning who are fantastic with their advice but I had trouble locating my protected deposit. After a phone call to DPS, It transpires that it is protected but the dates don't tally up.

Date deposit paid 02 November 2009 Tenancy start date 02 November 2009
Does this change anything ? It also says period of tenancy 6 months. I moved in May 2nd 2009, signed a 6 monthly let, then signed another 6 monthly before I went to yearly

silvercar

jules-2005 wrote: »

Well that's interesting, I have been talking to Shelter this morning who are fantastic with their advice but I had trouble locating my protected deposit. After a phone call to DPS, It transpires that it is protected but the dates don't tally up.

Date deposit paid 02 November 2009 Tenancy start date 02 November 2009
Does this change anything ? It also says period of tenancy 6 months. I moved in May 2nd 2009, signed a 6 monthly let, then signed another 6 monthly before I went to yearly

Seems reasonable, the deposit was re-protected when you renewed the tenancy.

rpc

Was the prescribed information served again each and every time the tenancy was renewed?

https://www.depositprotection.com/documents/superstrike-vs-rodrigues-guidance-on-implications.pdf


Legally, I suspect that the LL will find it hard to do things properly. Morally, I would be inclined to do your best to leave in an orderly manner. The LL will be able to evict eventually, unless there is a pressing need not to then I would cooperate.

Did you get the advice you needed to help you move on? Either into private rented or social housing?