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Dishonest Letting Agent

We have recently moved into a private letting and signed a six month contract (with the assurance that it would roll). As we have small children, we needed somewhere long-term. As the letting agent had informed us that the homeowners had moved abroad and had no intentions of selling the property. We thought this would be ideal and could make the place a home for the children to settle into.

However, we have recently found out from the neighbours that the homeowners are actually away temporarily. They are in fact on an extended holiday.

Has anybody encountered this before from letting agents. We feel very anxious now, as moving has been quite stressful – especially as it has been a big change for the children. We are now worried that we’ll be house-hunting again very soon. We would of never moved into a house knowing that the landlord could very well want to move back in.

Comments

  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    edited 30 November 2015 at 4:02PM
    kdm1981 wrote: »
    We have recently moved into a private letting and signed a six month contract (with the assurance that it would roll). - Which it will. As we have small children, we needed somewhere long-term. - Ask for longer then. As the letting agent had informed us that the homeowners had moved abroad - They have and had no intentions of selling the property.- They don't, even if they did. The new owner would become your landlord. We thought this would be ideal and could make the place a home for the children to settle into. - You might be able to.

    However, we have recently found out from the neighbours that the homeowners are actually away temporarily. They are in fact on an extended holiday.- And?

    Has anybody encountered this before from letting agents. We feel very anxious now, as moving has been quite stressful – especially as it has been a big change for the children. We are now worried that we’ll be house-hunting again very soon. - Well not until your fixed term expires, the LL has been to court and bailiffs arrive. So that's atleast 6 months + 2 Months + 1-2 Months. And did it start after October 2015. We would of never moved into a house knowing that the landlord could very well want to move back in.


    You signed a 6 month agreement, so you are safe for 6 months.


    If you wanted longer, ask for longer.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    It doesn't really make any difference. - Well it kind of does. Any house you rent, the landlord could decide they wanted to move in/sell - They could. But if the OP had got a longer fixed term, she'd have longer security. - it's their property after all. - Well the tenant owns a lease, so actually it's the tenants property.

    Things can change for anyone, at any time.


    Uhm? Not sure what your talking about...
  • Guest101 wrote: »
    You signed a 6 month agreement, so you are safe for 6 months.


    If you wanted longer, ask for longer.

    We initially asked for a longer term, the agent said they could offer six months to start off with and consider a longer term after the six months.

    I'm probably worrying over nothing, it's just concerned me that we were told that they had actually moved abroad. I may have to approach them and express my concerns.
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    kdm1981 wrote: »
    We initially asked for a longer term, the agent said they could offer six months to start off with and consider a longer term after the six months.

    I'm probably worrying over nothing, it's just concerned me that we were told that they had actually moved abroad. I may have to approach them and express my concerns.

    TBH that isn't really going to gain you anything.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    kdm1981 wrote: »
    We initially asked for a longer term, the agent said they could offer six months to start off with and consider a longer term after the six months. - Right, but you still signed for 6 months. You could've insisted or walked.

    I'm probably worrying over nothing, - Probably. it's just concerned me that we were told that they had actually moved abroad. - They have. They may wish to move back. You've moved into this house, you may wish to move again. Nothing is permanent. I may have to approach them and express my concerns.



    What concerns? You have security (as I explained for 6 months + 2 months + 1-2 months).


    Did you move in after 1st October 2015??
  • Guest101 wrote: »
    Did you move in after 1st October 2015??

    It was before 1st October.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    kdm1981 wrote: »
    It was before 1st October.

    Ok then. The Deregulation Act 2015 does not apply to you.
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