Rented House advice

FBaby

OP, you really need to clear your head about this. Firstly, it doesn't make sense that your priority is not to be able to move back to the property yourself. In all likelihood, you had to pass financial eligibility to be approved to rent the place, so you should be able to afford it even on your own.

Your priority is to not get into trouble, so do NOT stop paying rent. You say you pay your parents for your stay, but surely that's only for you share of bills as you being there won't be increasing their rent/mortgage payment.

In terms of bills, contact the utilities, assuming there under your name, and cancel them.

Go to the police. They probably won't do anything, but you'll have a record of having reported it. Go to a solicitor and get them to write to her to explain that you are intending on taking her to court to evict her.

In all likelihood, she is just very confused at the moment, not knowing what to do but given a few more days/weeks, she will realise that there is nothing left to keep her where she is and will want to move back close to her family any way. Her priority will be to put a roof over her head and that of her kids.

Pixie5740

The tenancy is in your name therefore your girlfriend has no legal right to occupy the property unless she has gone to court to get an occupation order which is unlikely.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/23393/ShelterGuide_RelationshipBreakdown.pdf

FYI the landlord won't be left with the legal costs of eviction, those will be awarded against you so stop the hand wringing and get your !!!! in gear. Stop taking rubbish advice from your colleague; a) your colleague is not a police office, his brother is, b) the police are not particularly hot on housing matters.

Slithery

FBaby wrote: »

Go to a solicitor and get them to write to her to explain that you are intending on taking her to court to evict her.

Absolute rubbish.

She has no legal right to be in the property so eviction isn't needed.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

OP, top priority is to obtain a copy of your tenancy agreement. This document, showing your name (and no other) on the contract is the crux to everything. Once you have a copy, make more copies and keep them in separate secure places. Also make sure you have photo ID to hand, and secure copies of this too.

You have the choice of two types of unpleasantness:

1 Potential accusation of harrassment after using a locksmith to regain entry to YOUR home.

2 Certain financial hardship after having to pay rent and bills on the property for the duration of the contract, plus potential damage bills, plus potential bad reference.

Trying to get the Council to pay LHA and the agent to sign up your ex are pointless distractions.

KittenChops

Wow. Just wow.

You’ve been played. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was her intention all along; she had bills and debts mounting up, and she used you to help her run away from it. Like others have said, how long before she moves another bloke in to your house? I hope you didn’t leave anything expensive in your house, because she’s probably sold it already.

Take the advice you’ve been given by (mostly) everybody on here.

Change the locks when she’s out and get yourself back in your house. Don’t give her ANY idea that’s it’s coming.

DCFC79

KittenChops wrote: »

Wow. Just wow.

You’ve been played. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was her intention all along; she had bills and debts mounting up, and she used you to help her run away from it. Like others have said, how long before she moves another bloke in to your house? I hope you didn’t leave anything expensive in your house, because she’s probably sold it already.

Take the advice you’ve been given by (mostly) everybody on here.

Change the locks when she’s out and get yourself back in your house. Don’t give her ANY idea that’s it’s coming.

Or she could trash the house (and move a new bf in and they both trash it) meaning damage costs for the OP and she moves into the next target.

FBaby

She has no legal right to be in the property so eviction isn't needed.

Indeed, but currently, he can't access his property and as it's been stated, there is a high risk that the police won't act to put her on the street if she refuses to go with very young children and nowhere to go. They will tell her to contact the council etc..., she'll say she'll do, and in the meantime, OP still doesn't have his rental property.

Mojisola

Paul_Jones_1984 wrote: »

My concern is being accused of harassment etc.

My colleague's brother is a police officer and his advice was not to visit the house without girlfriends agreement.

But harassment charge would be criminal, with serious implications. I have a job and family in the USA etc. Criminal record would be a disaster for me.

This is a concern, especially with someone who has conned you out of your home already - protect yourself against any false claims by recording any conversations you have with her and save all texts and emails.

Never be alone with her - make sure someone else goes with you when you go to reclaim your house and have them record everything that is said.

Katapolt

surely you change the locks, and stay there. she then cant get in, she cant get anyone to change the locks for her because she isnt on the lease, and then you just dont answer her calls or texts? if she turns up at your parents then thats harassment...

she has no right to be in the property so once you have got back in there, shes stuffed.

CIS

Earlier posts mention the council tax.

As you have left the property then, if you have no intention of returning, you would cease to be regarded as resident at the property. This would mean that you are not liable for the council tax charge whilst she remains resident in the property. You would be regarded as resident in the property where you are currently living and may affect the council tax charge.

If she vacated the property or you had an intention to return to the property then the situation would need to be looked at again.