Contract help (renting)

neenaw_4

Hi, this probably isn't the right website but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I've just signed a contract for renting a flat. The landlord sent me 2 photos of 2 bedrooms and said they were the ones left. They looked fine and I said I'd be happy with either so I signed the contract and posted it back.

Today I was in touch with one of the flatmates who has already moved in. She told me that neither of the rooms are mine - that I've got a really really tiny room with barely room to move.

Where do I stand with this? I feel like I've been deceived into signing the contract :-(

moneysavinmonkey

do you still have the photos and the letter/e-mail the landlord sent?
What does it say on the tenancy agreement you signed - does it mention which room you are renting?

it may just be a mix up and your flatmates didn't realise the rooms were assigned. -did they give a reason for why you are being left with the smallest room?

as a first step i would immediately phone the landlord to check which room should be yours. If it is ask them to write and confirm this - they must then ensure that this room is availble to you.

neenaw_4

Hi, yeah I still have all the emails.

As far as I'm aware the contract doesn't state which room but I can't be sure because I don't have the contract back again yet (she sent 2 for me to sign then I sent them back and she's signing them and sending my copy back).

There shouldn't be any mix up. I was the last person to sign a contract for the house so in fairness I should get the smallest room. When I replied to the ad there were 2 rooms left and the landlord sent me photos of 2 rooms. I asked which one I'd be getting and she re-mailed one of the photos. I said that was fine. But now someone else has that room.

I would *never* sign a contract without first seeing a photo of the room! I emailed the landlord today but haven't heard back. I'm really not happy.

Problem is I'm pretty screwed cos I'm meant to be going tomorrow...

SquatNow

I suspect the other tennants went in and thought it was a fist-come-first servered basis. One of them is paying less rent but has your room. They are probably hoping you wouldn't realise.

pinkshoes

neenaw wrote: »

When I replied to the ad there were 2 rooms left and the landlord sent me photos of 2 rooms. I asked which one I'd be getting and she re-mailed one of the photos. I said that was fine.

You agreed with the landlord which room you were renting, so that is your room. I would contact the landlord straight away (phone!), and tell her that when you spoke to the other house mates, they told you that you can't have that room, and can he sort it out?!

Your contract is with the landlord, so this is his problem, and you "not getting the product you've paid for" so to speak... so I'm sure he'll sort it out!

moneysavinmonkey

do not resign youself to the smallest room.
you have written/photo evidence that you are renting a specific room.
this is what you have agreed with the landlord and your rent reflects that.

if you not already phone the landlord IMMEDIATELY! They need to get this sorted out for you tonight. It does sound to me like the other tenants are trying to pull a fast one - it is unlikely the landlord would have sent you photos if he was the one trying to rip you off.

if you the room you are renting is not available then the contract is null and void and you do not have to pay rent - it is not acceptable to provide 'alternative' accomodation of a lower standard. The landlord will know this and so should sort this out for you asap as it is in their interest too!

neenaw_4

hey everyone thanks for the advice. i actually don't have the landlord's phone number (it's on the contract that I haven't got back yet). i'm not able to do anything really til I hear her reply to the email I sent earlier.

if the landlord says that I have to take the room then i dunno if i'd be able to do anything about it. i've signed a contract and also put my mum down as "surety". i don't want my mum getting into trouble over this

SquatNow

If you have the photo it's enough proof to go to court and win.

If the landlord refuses to return your deposit any judge with a brain will award in your favour in a nano-second.

Chances are it's not the landlord though, it's your **ckwit housemate who are trying to screw you over.

Request that the landlord completely permenantly evict whoever has tried to pull a fast one on you.

moneysavinmonkey

you won't get your mum into trouble!

hopefully this is just a simple misunderstanding - what is happening when you are moving in tomorrow. are you meeting with the landlord to get the key?

Make sure you take your e-mail + photo documentation with you and firmly + politely make sure your landlord shows you to your correct room - if this is not available then it is up to you how far you want to take it. you could negotiate a discount, ask that the mix up is sorted then, or simply state that they have broken their rental contract with you and walk away. Maybe take a camera with you to document that the room is already occupied + get the name and contact details of the guy/girl who it has been rented to?

tip for the future - it late now! - make sure you have a copy of landlord contact details
and keep a copy of all tenancy documents and agreements!

neenaw_4

Plan for tomorrow is to hope the keys come in the post. If not, I'm going down anyway and have arranged for one of the flatmates to let me in. The landlord doesn't live locally but I should be able to get her contact details off one of the other housemates. It might turn out that my room isn't that much smaller than the one I was offered - if that's the case I'll go with it but I won't just say so! I'll try to get a discount on the grounds that they falsely advertised the room to me (if that's what's happened and i can't get my proper room).

thanks for the advice! :j

moneysavinmonkey

hi neenaw,

how did it go with moving in?

I'm hoping that it was just a misunderstanding between the landlord and the other tenants and everything was sorted out for you!

MSM