Should I stay or should I go?

Anna1965

Comms69 wrote: »

Good, now go an have a cup of tea / glass of wine and relax.

:beer::cheesy:

timeism0ney

The reason your landlord asks if he can put a sale sign up and arrange viewings is that you can say no to these requests. Otherwise they wouldn't bother asking!

timeism0ney

Tell them you're busy. All year. As this article suggests: https://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/my-tenant-wont-allow-me-into-the-property-for-viewings/

Anna1965

timeism0ney wrote: »

Tell them you're busy. All year. As this article suggests: https://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/my-tenant-wont-allow-me-into-the-property-for-viewings/

The blog is brilliantly written and funny, but it's also valuable information to both LLs and tenants. Thank you for the link timeism0ney! It's shed a light on what I'm prepared to accept in terms of viewings and at what time. My LL told me via text today that she will be entering the property with the estate agent so that they can take photos etc., but she's since backed down. Someone has probably told her that she can't do this.

Each day brings more surprises so I'll brace myself for the next round!_pale_:)

Anna1965

timeism0ney wrote: »

The reason your landlord asks if he can put a sale sign up and arrange viewings is that you can say no to these requests. Otherwise they wouldn't bother asking!

Very true.

[Deleted User]

I went through a very similar situation. LL trying to insist he knew what the law was (and it basically was what he wanted it to be). This forum helped me a lot, I found it very stressful too.

Because my LL started by coming round whenever he felt like it, I changed the locks very early on in the tenancy. It really is easy. Depending on the sort of door/lock you have, try either of these videos as a starting point. If they aren't what you want, just do a search on Youtube. Its best to look at a few as then you'll know the job inside out. Some videos miss the odd thing out. They don't last long so shouldn't be too laborious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zyn10P1sk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_aMD1o4J8

I still can't see how the builder owns the property, even exchange should only happen when vacant possession is available. It may be that both the LL and builder are sailing very close to the wind, legally and hoping you aren't aware of how things should happen.

I would ask, as a tenant, for proof that the builder is now your LL. You need this as you should be paying the builder the rent now - if he owns the property. Otherwise the LL is just applying pressure with no idea what he is really doing. Hand the problem back to your LL.

Remember, if he hasn't protected your deposit, there is no way a S21 can be valid. I wouldn't mention this though. It will give you extra time if he waits 2 months, its thrown out of court and then he has to return your deposit and issue another S21. That's four months plus gone straight away. All you have to do is tell the court the S21 is invalid as your deposit was not protected, no EPC was given, How to rent leaflet etc.

And make it clear at that point, you are intending to sue the LL for 1-3 times deposit.

But that is in the future. For now, I'd be changing the locks, asking for proof your LL has actually changed. You can always pretend to be out if you prefer.

If you do answer, just say you don't know who the heck owns the property and who has a right to sell it. You are waiting for proof of this and so you do not feel comfortable allowing an EA in til the issue is clarified. Or say you are busy, whatever you like. They can't do a lot about it as long as you have changed the locks. If you haven't, leave your key in the door and half turn it. Both front and back. Then no one can use their key. This only works if you are in though as then you couldn't get back in yourself lol.

Remember to turn your phone onto silent lol.

Anna1965

deannatrois wrote: »

I went through a very similar situation. LL trying to insist he knew what the law was (and it basically was what he wanted it to be). This forum helped me a lot, I found it very stressful too.

Because my LL started by coming round whenever he felt like it, I changed the locks very early on in the tenancy. It really is easy. Depending on the sort of door/lock you have, try either of these videos as a starting point. If they aren't what you want, just do a search on Youtube. Its best to look at a few as then you'll know the job inside out. Some videos miss the odd thing out. They don't last long so shouldn't be too laborious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zyn10P1sk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_aMD1o4J8

I still can't see how the builder owns the property, even exchange should only happen when vacant possession is available. It may be that both the LL and builder are sailing very close to the wind, legally and hoping you aren't aware of how things should happen.

I would ask, as a tenant, for proof that the builder is now your LL. You need this as you should be paying the builder the rent now - if he owns the property. Otherwise the LL is just applying pressure with no idea what he is really doing. Hand the problem back to your LL.

Remember, if he hasn't protected your deposit, there is no way a S21 can be valid. I wouldn't mention this though. It will give you extra time if he waits 2 months, its thrown out of court and then he has to return your deposit and issue another S21. That's four months plus gone straight away. All you have to do is tell the court the S21 is invalid as your deposit was not protected, no EPC was given, How to rent leaflet etc.

And make it clear at that point, you are intending to sue the LL for 1-3 times deposit.

But that is in the future. For now, I'd be changing the locks, asking for proof your LL has actually changed. You can always pretend to be out if you prefer.

If you do answer, just say you don't know who the heck owns the property and who has a right to sell it. You are waiting for proof of this and so you do not feel comfortable allowing an EA in til the issue is clarified. Or say you are busy, whatever you like. They can't do a lot about it as long as you have changed the locks. If you haven't, leave your key in the door and half turn it. Both front and back. Then no one can use their key. This only works if you are in though as then you couldn't get back in yourself lol.

Remember to turn your phone onto silent lol.

Thank you the links and the advice you've given Deannetrois, like everyone else's it's invaluable to me. You're right there, it's very stressful!

The LL has said he's delivering an s.21 today to give to me in my hand, but then said he's going to post it instead. I answered the phone one last time to the husband (he's calmer) because his wife was getting very abusive in the background. I've told them to correspond in writing now and that I shall report them if they continue to be abusive and harrass me (interestingly, she accused me of harrassing her because she's now in danger of losing her new home). The s.21 will be interesting when it doesn't stand up in court because of the deposit issues. They may have since been advised about that one though and have put their skates on to remedy it. We'll see. But, as you say, that's one's for later.

I'm going out to get a new lock today. I've watched various videos that I've been sent and it seems pretty easy, so that's great.

I'm having to tell my children not to answer the door to anyone and to keep it locked. They know nothing about all this and trying my best to shelter them from it, but I guess I'll have to give them a small explanation without going into detail.

Thank you!

Comms69

Anna1965 wrote: »

Thank you the links and the advice you've given Deannetrois, like everyone else's it's invaluable to me. You're right there, it's very stressful!

The LL has said he's delivering an s.21 today to give to me in my hand, but then said he's going to post it instead. I answered the phone one last time to the husband (he's calmer) because his wife was getting very abusive in the background. I've told them to correspond in writing now and that I shall report them if they continue to be abusive and harrass me (interestingly, she accused me of harrassing her because she's now in danger of losing her new home). The s.21 will be interesting when it doesn't stand up in court because of the deposit issues. - it wont get that far. Court is atleast 3, more likely, 4 months away. They may have since been advised about that one though and have put their skates on to remedy it. We'll see. But, as you say, that's one's for later.

I'm going out to get a new lock today. I've watched various videos that I've been sent and it seems pretty easy, so that's great.

I'm having to tell my children not to answer the door to anyone and to keep it locked. They know nothing about all this and trying my best to shelter them from it, but I guess I'll have to give them a small explanation without going into detail.

Thank you!

Answering the door isn't really the issue.


It's more them entering when you're no there.


I doubt the LL would be daft enough to cause aggro inside your home; there's very real prison time for that kind of thing - particularly from a landlord.

fairy_lights

Anna1965 wrote: »

The LL has said he's delivering an s.21 today to give to me in my hand, but then said he's going to post it instead. I answered the phone one last time to the husband (he's calmer) because his wife was getting very abusive in the background. I've told them to correspond in writing now and that I shall report them if they continue to be abusive and harrass me (interestingly, she accused me of harrassing her because she's now in danger of losing her new home).

What a pair of absolute Muppets.

CarrieVS

Anyone else half expecting the thread "Exchanged and my tenants won't move out - what can I do?" to be posted in desperation any day?

I can empathise with the LL and his wife - I'm sure they're not monsters, just reacting poorly to stress - but unfortunately for them, this is definitely their mess to deal with.