Renting advive

FBaby

Yes but the OP also says she cannot afford to rent privately... It's a catch 22

That's probably where she needs most help with, maybe she can afford something but needs to look in the right place.

I think that's why I get frustrated with the advice to stay until evicted because it is a vicious circle. This situation is the one landlords dread the most (besides getting the place trashed) because of the costs and stress involved, so the more this becomes common practice, the less likely landlords will rent to people who could find themselves in this position who of course are the ones who most desperately need rental accommodation.

I expect there are significant differences across the UK, but as said before, in my area, Landlords rule the market because demand significantly exceeds supply so every bit that can help is worth nurturing.

Of course a reference in itself is not security, but between two tenants in similar situations financially, one with a good reference saying that left the property without any issues and one that says that it cost the LL plenty to evict them, of course the LL will go with the former. A reference is not just written. Most landlords I know will insist on speaking to the previous landlords. A previous landlord who refuses is already red herring in itself even though that can be very unfair as a reflection on the LL rather than the tenant, but when you have choice....

Miss_Samantha

Guest101 wrote: »

But you implied that any tenant who stayed beyond the s.21 end date was behaving badly and that simply isn't true.

That's true if it is clear that the landlord does intend to evict.

MerrilyA

It may be worth getting in contact with a housing association in your area they may be able to help.

Guest101

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

That's true if it is clear that the landlord does intend to evict.

I'd counter and say it's the councils which behave badly if it's clear the LL intends to evict.

People who can afford to move will very rarely sit it out and wait to be evicted.

Guest101

FBaby wrote: »

That's probably where she needs most help with, maybe she can afford something but needs to look in the right place.

I think that's why I get frustrated with the advice to stay until evicted because it is a vicious circle. This situation is the one landlords dread the most (besides getting the place trashed) because of the costs and stress involved, so the more this becomes common practice, the less likely landlords will rent to people who could find themselves in this position who of course are the ones who most desperately need rental accommodation.

I expect there are significant differences across the UK, but as said before, in my area, Landlords rule the market because demand significantly exceeds supply so every bit that can help is worth nurturing.

Of course a reference in itself is not security, but between two tenants in similar situations financially, one with a good reference saying that left the property without any issues and one that says that it cost the LL plenty to evict them, of course the LL will go with the former. A reference is not just written. Most landlords I know will insist on speaking to the previous landlords. A previous landlord who refuses is already red herring in itself even though that can be very unfair as a reflection on the LL rather than the tenant, but when you have choice....

Yes but people who can afford to move very rarely wait it out.

LLs like any other professional should factor in costs of business.

FBaby

But you implied that any tenant who stayed beyond the s.21 end date was behaving badly and that simply isn't true.

I certainly didn't imply this at all. If the attitude is 'stuff them, I'm not going to bother to try to look for anything because the council will just have to rehouse me, so I'll just pretend it is not happening and then will play the victim of the situation (ie. what we regularly see on certain programme), then yes, I consider this behaving badly.

Someone who has gone to the effort of making contact with agencies, talking to people around them, looking every day on website, going to visit places and accepted that they might to settle for less than what they had previously, but still getting nowhere is not in anyway someone behaving badly.

I consider OP to fall under the second category and again, I applaud them for trying to find a solution unlike many who don't see it their responsibility to do.

FBaby

LLs like any other professional should factor in costs of business.

And that's exactly what they do, they make decisions that minimise the risk of cost as any business do. Either renting is considered a business, in which case, emotions don't get into it at all, and people who are more desperate don't get a chance, or you see it as a social enterprise, where LL have some responsibility towards the welfare of their society, in which case, they should be supported in doing so rather than expect them to pick up all the consequences, which in some cases might leave them in an even worse position than their tenants.

You can't have it both ways though.

Guest101

FBaby wrote: »

And that's exactly what they do, they make decisions that minimise the risk of cost as any business do. Either renting is considered a business, in which case, emotions don't get into it at all, and people who are more desperate don't get a chance, or you see it as a social enterprise, where LL have some responsibility towards the welfare of their society, in which case, they should be supported in doing so rather than expect them to pick up all the consequences, which in some cases might leave them in an even worse position than their tenants.

You can't have it both ways though.

But that should include eviction costs, circumstances change people get made redundant, relationships end.

If you're a LL in order to make a loss, the tenant will always be the biggest victim.

FBaby

There is a difference between making sure you are able to afford something that could happen and doing everything in your control to minimise the chance of needing to use the funds. If you are a LL and you have a choice between taking on a single mum on benefits and a police officer with 20 years experience, even if their disposable income is not that far off, they would be mad not to go for the latter because indeed, the chance of having to evict the first will be high, the second very low.

Miss_Samantha

Guest101 wrote: »

I'd counter and say it's the councils which behave badly if it's clear the LL intends to evict.

That's passing the buck...