Urgently seeking some advice...

LovingPerson

last time I saw the current landlord she said "and don't think you're getting any of your deposit back" due to water damage to a cupboard door after a boiler (that she refused to have serviced for 5 years) began leaking heavily.

My deposit is in one of those tenancy deposit schemes so I feel I have a very good chance of getting it back, despite the landlord's comments, but it's not going to be an instant thing and it looks like I will need to fight for it.

dancingfairy

You do not have to leave the old place on the day the notice runs out. That notice is notice the landlord wants the property back. If you do not move out on or by the expiry of the notice the landlord has to go to court to get an eviction order. This is not necessarily a quick process. It's not ideal but if you have nowhere else to go then you may need to stay on.
How much do you need? Would it be possible to chat to current landlord and ask for return of deposit in checkout day or in advance (or may 50% now then 50% on day of checkout).
Df

Guest101

LovingPerson wrote: »

my current landlord says I can't extend my stay. However I don't think they can physically put me out on Friday. Friday just represents the expiry of the section 21 notice. I am sure they would need to possibly apply to court to physically get me out. It would be a shame for it to come to that. I would say I have about one week from Friday leeway during which time the current landlord won't physically be able to put me out yet and the new landlord will wait that time. So I must come up with the cash within that time period. Today my two best ideas were suicide or having sex for money. I realise I am not in a reasonable frame of mind at the moment so I'm going to call the Samaritans

Eviction takes on average 3-5 months. You are coming up to end of month 2. You have plenty of time.

Pixie5740

Have you actually served notice to end you current tenancy or have you just received a Section 21 from your LL? If it's the latter then you do not have to move out just yet, you can stay put until your LL goes to court to get an eviction order and even then you don't need to go until bailiffs physically remove you from the property. So you won't be homeless.

Contact your local council, sometimes they can help with deposits and if not should you end up unintentionally homeless the council will re-house you. It might not be somewhere great but it will be a roof over your head.

If you're talking about a gas boiler and saying that you haven't had a gas safety certificate for 5 years then you can report your LL to HSE.

dancingfairy

Sorry to hear it's all getting on top of you right now. Can you call the doctors? They might be able to give you an urgent appointment or provide a crisis helpline number?
Failing that go to a and e if desperate.
In terms of housing maybe going down to the housing office will help? Explain how desperate you are and that if they aren't able to help that you will be made homeless and then they will have to help you anyway. They might be able to lend you the money for a deposit (I'm sure they won't publicise this and it will be like banging your head against a brick wall) but it might help?
Df

LovingPerson

I was told by somebody at Citizens Advice that the landlord can't turf me out on Friday, basically for the reasons you stated. They would need to get a Possession Order I believe it is called. The CAB did say that the court will give them their order though because as the owner they have the right to simply want their flat back, it's not because I've done anything wrong, so there is no defence that I can submit.

It's really not easy at all in this current economic climate in London to find a flat to rent at all as a disabled person on a low income. It was not easy to find this particular flat I am moving into. I doubt I'd find a similarly suitable flat at a price I can afford again in a hurry and pass all the checks. I need to do my utmost to move in. I just don't know what to do. I seem to have exhausted every avenue.

pimento

If your landlord wants you to leave on Friday you might be able to negotiate a partial (say, £500) return of your deposit. Otherwise, tell them, you will just have to stay put because you can't afford to move..

red_devil

I must be fortunate or trusted I have received my deposit back today and haven't gone yet? I agree with advice above.

Pixie5740

red_devil wrote: »

I must be fortunate or trusted I have received my deposit back today and haven't gone yet? I agree with advice above.

You keep posting this but your situation is atypical. You were a tenant for 20 years and your deposit did not have to be protected so a different kettle of fish to the OP. If when you come to leave your next home you expect to receive your deposit back before vacating the property then you'll be disappointed.

LovingPerson

The Landlord will not give the deposit back early.