Landlord moved, no forwarding details, not responding to emails.

gragory

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if you have any advice with regards to the following.

I am moving out of my rented property and sent my one months notice, via letter (recorded delivery) on 19th Feb. This meant that I gave enough notice to vacate the property by 22nd March. This was delivered and signed for on 20th February. The address is the contact address listed on my tenancy agreement. I was 'found' by a letting agent although I no longer deal with them. All dealings are done direct with the landlord, rental payments, maintenance etc.

On Saturday, I received a voicemail from a lady saying that she had received this letter and was calling to tell me because the lady it was addressed to no longer lives there and she has no forwarding details for her. She said that she though she'd better tell me because it was to do with ending my tenancy.

I sent an email to my landlady immediately to explain I had handed in my notice and also asked her to provide a new address. I know it's only Monday lunchtime but, I still have not heard from her. I have also tried to call and it has gone unanswered and I haven't been able to leave a voicemail. I'm starting to get a little worried because as far as I'm concerned, I have done everything I'm expected to in order to end the tenancy but they may not think that because they haven't received my letter.

Is there anything they can do with regards to claiming for a full months rent or taking from my deposit or anything like that? Like I say, I have done everything expected of me and I wouldn't have even realised they didn't know if the kind lady didn't call to let me know.

I'd be grateful for any advice you may have. Obviously, I've kept the royal mail tracking details for now, in case I ever have to go back to them.

Thank you

Guest101

You have served notice at the address your LL requested. That is all you need to do.

MrJB

As Guest advises. Your agreement will state that you need to send a letter to the address provided, if they'd changed that address then you should have been notified. Assuming your notice was valid, make sure you keep a copy of the proof of postage.

danslenoir

Was the letter addressed to your LL?

If so, whoever is living at the address now shouldn't have really opened it.

davidmcn

danslenoir wrote: »

Was the letter addressed to your LL?

If so, whoever is living at the address now shouldn't have really opened it.

Up to them - despite popular mythology, there's nothing inherently unlawful about opening mail addressed to previous occupants. And useful that they did!

DRP

danslenoir wrote: »

Was the letter addressed to your LL?

If so, whoever is living at the address now shouldn't have really opened it.

Doesn't really matter though does it? it isn't illegal.

And now the op is better informed on the situation.

gragory

Thank you all!

Yes, the letter was addressed to the landlady. The lady who called explained that she only opened it because it was recorded delivery so may have been important (she was right) and she wanted to let the sender know it hadn't arrived to the person intended. I'm not entirely sure why they didn't just decline it. The tracking shows a signature that's readable and the name is actually the landladys so I'm a bit confused, although that could've just been the postman, or, they do in fact have the same name :-/

gragory

DRP wrote: »

Doesn't really matter though does it? it isn't illegal.

And now the op is better informed on the situation.

I'm certainly grateful that the person who opened it gave me a call!

Guest101

gragory wrote: »

Thank you all!

Yes, the letter was addressed to the landlady. The lady who called explained that she only opened it because it was recorded delivery so may have been important (she was right) and she wanted to let the sender know it hadn't arrived to the person intended. I'm not entirely sure why they didn't just decline it. The tracking shows a signature that's readable and the name is actually the landladys so I'm a bit confused, although that could've just been the postman, or, they do in fact have the same name :-/

All of which is irrelevant. You've served notice.


And on top, once you were notified it was not received, you made a reasonable effort to locate the Landlord.

HappyMJ

Re: the deposit...as long as it's secured then it's safe.

If you still can't contact the LL then take some pictures on the last day of your tenancy before you leave. Basically do your own checkout.

I don't know where you're going to return your keys to as you know the LL doesn't live at the address stated that wouldn't be wise. I'd just hold on to them until you eventually do get in contact. Not paying the rent in March is bound to get a reply some time soon. You are not liable for March's rent as you've properly handed in your notice to the address on your tenancy agreement.

theartfullodger

Agree with happy about taking loads of photos (ideally with a witness).

Disagree about holding onto keys: I would write (keep copy!) & post with **free** "certificate of posting" to landlord at the address you have (not recorded as that can be refused) stating unless you hear from them you will post keys back through letter-box (I'd stick them in an envelope). Just to avoid the argument that having held onto keys you haven't left so tenancy continues etc etc etc..