S21 being issued and facing homelessness

Sahara74

Hello. I’m new to here and was hoping if people can give me advice and maybe let me know the process regarding facing being made homeless?
My landlord has given me two months notice to leave the home I rent from him (s21 notice served), and I’m now in a state as I’m going to be made homeless. He’s wanting to sell the property so the notice has nothing to do with me. I’m a single parent with two children, a student, awful credit and have pets.
Having never been in this position, where do I stand about moving out? How soon can the deposit be returned as I’ll need this to move elsewhere (it’s in the scheme), etc. The council have said that they take 33 days to investigate and decide if I am actually homeless, but I’m scared they offer me somewhere terrible or worse still, can’t find me anywhere.
My head is in bits and I’m so upset and just don’t know where to turn.

anselld

Deposit would not normally be returned until you have moved out. Your Landlord may make an exception if he realises it will help you move out but that is a risky option for him.

University may have a hardship fund which might help in the short term with a new deposit.

Credit record is not visible to Letting Agents and Landlords unless you actually have CCJs, Bankruptcies, etc.

s21 notice on its own is not a requirement to leave. L would need to go to Court for possession first. It is important that you take advice from the Council on when to leave, which unfortunately will probably be to wait it out until bailiffs arrive. However, if you leave voluntarily beforehand it will damage the chances of them helping you.

FBaby

Unfortunately, if your LL wants to sell, ultimately there is nothing you can do about it long term. That's the fragility of being a tenant rather than a home owner.

So ultimately, you need to accept that it will happen and indeed, if you rely on the council to house you, you will have to potentially accept to be placed somewhere that wouldn't be your choice of home.

However, you don't need to panic because you don't have to move in 2 months and your LL can't force your too. What happens if you don't move is nothing there and then, your LL will have to go to court for repossession. Whether it is granted there and then will depend whether he has ticked all the right boxes and followed the process to the letter. They often don't because that process is so tedious in which case, it will buy you more time. Ultimately though, what will happen if you don't move is that the bailiffs will come and escort you out.

Firstly, don't stop paying rent as long as you are still there. Secondly, look to see whether there is anyway you could move in the private sector maybe with the help of family. How did you manage to pass the eligibility criteria for this place? Did you use to work? Did someone act as a guarantor?

If this is not option, nor is moving for someone else, then you'll have to inform the council and wait. Since it can take up to 9 months, my suggestion would be to put any penny you can aside, maybe look into a PT job, especially in the summer, so you can have some savings to help you with anything you might need when the move becomes inevitable.

Sahara74

Fbaby

I did work before I rented the property and started Uni, and I’ve got myself a part time job over the summer months.
I’m more upset about having to leave rather than my financial situation, as despite me being a student, I have never missed my rent and have paid it on time. It’s the thought of not knowing where I’ll be living and that it will be somewhere that isn’t my choice, which bothers me the most.
It’s good to know though that the notice doesn’t actually mean move out by a particular date, so at least I have a bit more time.

silvercar

Does your university have any family accommodation?

martindow

Your university probably has a department that deals with students and their tenancies. I would speak to them and see if they have a list of landlords or can offer help with deposits.

Dealing directly with a landlord rather than having an agency eager to find fees to charge is a great advantage.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Speak to your university housing team. Also alert your personal tutor you are facing financial stress BEFORE the exam season, so if you perform lower than expected, difficult circumstances can be taken into account.

Sahara74

University accommodation is just for the academic year, usually 42 weeks and then you have to move out, so that’s not an option for me.

Comms69

Sahara74 wrote: »

Hello. I’m new to here and was hoping if people can give me advice and maybe let me know the process regarding facing being made homeless?
My landlord has given me two months notice to leave the home I rent from him (s21 notice served), and I’m now in a state as I’m going to be made homeless. He’s wanting to sell the property so the notice has nothing to do with me. I’m a single parent with two children, a student, awful credit and have pets. - He hasn't given you two months to leave.
Having never been in this position, where do I stand about moving out? - you don't until you are evicted then you go to the council who will house you. How soon can the deposit be returned as I’ll need this to move elsewhere (it’s in the scheme), etc. - could be days, could be months The council have said that they take 33 days to investigate and decide if I am actually homeless, - rubbish, it takes a matter of minutes but I’m scared they offer me somewhere terrible or worse still, can’t find me anywhere.
My head is in bits and I’m so upset and just don’t know where to turn.

You have kids, you'll be housed.

Sahara74

I have made an appointment with the University for later today to see what they can offer

saajan_12

Sahara74 wrote: »

Hello. I!!!8217;m new to here and was hoping if people can give me advice and maybe let me know the process regarding facing being made homeless?
My landlord has given me two months notice to leave the home I rent from him (s21 notice served), - NO, its 2 months notice of his INTENTION to apply for eviction. When the 2 months are up, he can go to court for a possession order and then bailiffs, which can take a several weeks. You don't actually have to leave by the end of the 2 months notice. and I!!!8217;m now in a state as I!!!8217;m going to be made homeless. - eventually, yes. Only when bailiffs turn up though, before which you'll have possession order etc to let you know the progress. At that point you can go to the council and shoudl get housed given your children. He!!!8217;s wanting to sell the property so the notice has nothing to do with me. -
do you know how his sale is progressing? The sale doesn't actually force you to leave before your possession order process completes, but it may mean the LL is under pressure to get the property empty earlier, and be willing to repay your deposit / help with your moving costs to move early to private rental. However don't accept this if you expect to get a council property. I!!!8217;m a single parent with two children, a student, awful credit and have pets.
Having never been in this position, where do I stand about moving out? - negotiate something with the LL if you find somewhere privately, or wait until the possession order bailiffs, and then get the council to rehouse you. How soon can the deposit be returned as I!!!8217;ll need this to move elsewhere (it!!!8217;s in the scheme), etc. - You won't usually get deposit back until you've vacated and the property has been inspected for damages. The council have said that they take 33 days to investigate and decide if I am actually homeless, but I!!!8217;m scared they offer me somewhere terrible or worse still, can!!!8217;t find me anywhere. Take the Section 21 notice to them so they can begin the process, but they may wait until you actually have bailiffs on your doorstep, and then give you emergency housing before moving you somewhere more permanent.

My head is in bits and I!!!8217;m so upset and just don!!!8217;t know where to turn.

Relax, the Section 21 is just notice of LL's intention, in itself it doesn't evict you. The process is
- Section 21 notice (2 months)
- LL applies for possession order
- If S21 was 100% correct, a possession order will be granted by default. IF not, LL has to start again.
- Possession order gives a date to give possession
- Once that date passes, LL applies for bailiffs
- Bailiffs visit and you actually have to leave - take essentials
- Same day, you go to council taking the bailiff letter saying they have possession, you are homeless. Council will give you emergency housing
- Contact LL few days later to collect bulk of your belongings