Urgent rental problem

jammother

We are moving across the country and had a rental property to move into in mid December. We've booked a removal firm and given notice on our current house.


Today the Letting Agent phoned and told us that the landlord (who is currently living in the property) is struggling to get the mortgage completed on time and therefore cannot guarantee that we can move in on time. We are due to move in 12 days and have completed all checks - does anyone have some much needed advice?

G_M

It all depends on whether you have a contract or not.

bryanb

Have you and landlord signed contracts?

jammother

We've paid all the fees including the holding fee etc but as we live over 100 miles away we were due to sign the actual letting contract on the day the keys were handed over. I guess we are screwed then

G_M

If you don't hve a contract, the LL has no obligation to provide a property.

However, a contract ca be formed in many ways - eg verbally or even by implication!

What has been said? What has been 'agreed'? What did you understand about the LL's commitment to the tenancy?

Guest101

jammother wrote: »

We've paid all the fees including the holding fee etc but as we live over 100 miles away we were due to sign the actual letting contract on the day the keys were handed over. I guess we are screwed then

Depends, have u paid first months rent ? ( and deposit if there was one?)

jammother

We were told that the property was ours - it has been removed from Rightmove and from other letting agents. It says subject to contract.


Am I right in that we can have all admin fees refunded to us? We need to move quickly on this as our son has a disability and needs to go a specific school.

G_M

Well. If the LL has changed his mind abut letting, or about agreed dates, your should certainly get your costs back. But be prepapred to fight for this, espec with an agent involved....

Or argue there is a contract and the LL must honour it (a different fight).

jammother

Normally I would fight for them to honour the contract but with only twelve days to go until the removal company come and pick up our stuff we are in a very tight timescale. The fees we have paid are only 10% of the removal costs. We've rented many properties and have never had any trouble. I'm assuming the letting agent knew this was a potential issue due to saying the contract would be signed on the day.

Thanks for everyone's help.