Landlady changed her mind about renting after signing the contract - Can I sue her?

NinaSwiss

IoanaP wrote: »

She told me she's been doing this for many years (renting the place) and for the last couple of months she had the flat on Air bnb. I am sure that if she had income directly into her account this was going to raise some red flags so I assume the money are going into someone else's account - which made me think that even if I report her, there might not be any proof.

Report her or don't report her. That's a separate issue.
If anything, puts her in a lesser position to afford whatever costs you win in court.

Winning in court also does not guarantee you get money back.
Then you may need to enforce through court bailiffs or attachment of earnings or charge order. All of which cost money. I know this because I faced a dilemma to pursue a debt. In the end I chose peace of mind rather than pursue £375 in court - And that was following advise from a friend who is a lawyer (and it was hard to let go).

IoanaP

NinaSwiss wrote: »

Sounds like your existing tenancy was ending anyway.... not because you found place but because your joint tenancy is not being renewed.

The contract ends at the beginning of April, I gave 2 months notice in January because I wanted to have enough time to find something and the only reason I can stay another month is because the contract ends in April.

NinaSwiss

However,you could try the letter before claim letter. Costs nothing and could be enough to scare her into a reasonable compensation.

Worked for me as the debt was originally £750.

NinaSwiss

IoanaP wrote: »

The contract ends at the beginning of April, I gave 2 months notice in January because I wanted to have enough time to find something and the only reason I can stay another month is because the contract ends in April.

That's probably the sort of detail that can get you in trouble in court - I'm no expert but I watch too much Judge Judy (yes I know its American.)

You did not end the old contract because you had signed a new contract.
You ended it prior to signing up with the new landlord.

lisyloo

I found a place in central London in 2 days last time I moved but we were entirely realistic about what represented market value.
Maybe we were lucky, but why so hard?

Why do you need to be within walking distance? Which by my definition is 3 miles?

IoanaP

NinaSwiss wrote: »

That's probably the sort of detail that can get you in trouble in court - I'm no expert but I watch too much Judge Judy (yes I know its American.)

You did not end the old contract because you had signed a new contract.
You ended it prior to signing up with the new landlord.

Why would it get me in trouble? The initial contract was for 12 months with 6 months break clause after which I had to give 2 months notice prior to moving. I can still live here until April as they haven't found new tenants yet.

need_an_answer

Do you know how to take your complaint forward?

In respect of any financial loss I assume you have receipts to confirm any amounts you wish to claim?


What sort of figure are you expecting top achieve as a settlement?

IoanaP

lisyloo wrote: »

I found a place in central London in 2 days last time I moved but we were entirely realistic about what represented market value.
Maybe we were lucky, but why so hard?

Why do you need to be within walking distance? Which by my definition is 3 miles?

I'm looking within 3 miles radius to my work place so I can save money on travel. I will move by myself in a one bed flat (2 if I find someone to share it with but I haven't so far) - that means the cost is ridiculous (if you think you also have to add bills on top). This place was 17 mins walking to work, 2 bed flat with living room, £1150 (all bills included). This is what I thought was decent and I'm looking for the same, a bit more expensive if it's a 1 bed.

stator

Your situation is a mess. You willingly signed a fake lodger agreement with a fake move in date on it.

If this gets before a judge, he will have trouble unpicking it all and will probably tell you to naff off

IoanaP

How can I know how much to claim if I haven't found a place?

My logic was to keep looking until my move out date. If I can find something similar, I will probably let it go.
If it's something similar (in living conditions/area) but more expensive (still within affordable budget for me) I will claim the difference in the extra cost I'm paying for the 6 months I had a contract for.
If I can't find something similar and affordable, I will have to find a temporary place which means more money/month, plus twice the moving costs.
And does really no one value one's sanity and the amount of stress I am having to go through? Honestly, some days I feel like I'm going crazy..