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

[Deleted User]

Honeylife, thank you for your pragmatism and common sense - you're a diamond in the rough on this thread.

lisyloo

GDB2222 wrote: »

It's no cheaper than that in the suburbs for a two bed flat in London. Take a look on RM.

I have taken a look because I live there and have real life experience of renting in London.
I can assure you that westimster is more expensive than Wimbledon (Read zone 1 vs zone 3).

The only way to live cheaply in central London is to live somewhere most of wouldn’t find acceptable like tower hamlets. Expect kids to throw things at you, possibly get mugged etc.

Most people live out for this reason unless they can compromise on space e.g. share bedroom.

This is very well know stuff.

GDB2222

lisyloo wrote: »

I have taken a look because I live there and have real life experience of renting in London.
I can assure you that westimster is more expensive than Wimbledon (Read zone 1 vs zone 3).

The only way to live cheaply in central London is to live somewhere most of wouldn’t find acceptable like tower hamlets. Expect kids to throw things at you, possibly get mugged etc.

Most people live out for this reason unless they can compromise on space e.g. share bedroom.

This is very well know stuff.

I totally agree, but £1150 for a two bedroom is cheap for central London.

Doozergirl

GDB2222 wrote: »

I totally agree, but £1150 for a two bedroom is cheap for central London.

Is it the whole thing or half of it?

We paid £1,000 a month for a posh bed in a shed (I say posh, it had ridiculously ornate fittings but the windows didn't open) in Acton some 4 years ago, so it must be half the rent, surely.

Nobbie1967

OP,

I've changed my mind and think you probably should pursue this, but for now just concentrate on getting somewhere else to live and keep records of any extra expenses.

Once your situation is resolved, total up your losses and contact the Landlady asking for her to pay these to settle the matter. Let her know that if she doesn't settle, you will take her to court and contact HMRC/DSS with your suspicions about tax/benefit fraud. Whether she settles or not, report her anyway.

elsien

IoanaP wrote: »

How was the lodger agreement fake? Or the move in date on it?
I was supposed to move in the 2nd March which is the exact date on the agreement.

Because from what you've written, both you and she were aware that you were not a lodger. So why agree to sign a lodger agreement, whatever else you chose to add on, when you knew it was incorrect?

GDB2222

Doozergirl wrote: »

Is it the whole thing or half of it?

We paid £1,000 a month for a posh bed in a shed (I say posh, it had ridiculously ornate fittings but the windows didn't open) in Acton some 4 years ago, so it must be half the rent, surely.

That makes sense, thanks!

parkrunner

Spriggan wrote: »

OP, this sounds like such a stressful situation - I really do sympathise. But I honestly think that you've had a lucky escape. That didn't sound like a legit set-up, and could well have ended up in more stress down the line. Take a deep breath, chalk this one up to experience and move on.

As some others have said, it sounds like you'd be better off looking for a room somewhere, rather than a flat. A quick search on Spareroom offers literally thousands of places below your budget. A friend of mine recently moved into a place on here, and it's worked out really well. It's cheaper than getting a place, plus if you move into a free room in a house then all the tedious stuff like gas and Internet will already be set up. Fewer details for you to worry about! Look into that as a short term option, and give yourself some time and space to sort out something more permanent, if your own place is what you'd rather. But either way, a couple of weeks is more than enough time- London rentals usually turn around in much less than that.

That's where I differ. My reaction would have been "oh flip" and then right how do I get another place quickly and not "who can I sue".

Spriggan

Parkrunner, it wouldn't be my reaction either. But God knows I've got myself into a panic about all sorts of things. Reading their posts, the OP is clearly hit their limit for whatever reason, and perhaps that has led to them overreacting. In my experience, telling someone not to get stressed is about as effective as "why don't you just cheer up?"

IoanaP

zagubov wrote: »

I hate it in movies when the driver takes their eyes off the road and turns sideways to talk to their passenger and doesn't seem to spend enough time looking ahead for future problems and obstacles in the road ahead. This feels like just such a moment.

You're trying to plot a forward path through the hustling and bustling career and housing marketplace of a pretty complex and competitive city, but you're spending far too much time looking in your rear view mirror, when the potential solutions to your problems lie ahead of you.

In the name of all that's holy, please turn forward and get on with your life!

How am I not looking forward? I never stopped looking for places!

Honeylife wrote: »

OMG This is bang on!

OP you have spent the entire Saturday 9th March on this Forum [Have I? Did you timed how much my replies took in minutes?] when you should have spent it on Spareroom or Right Move I would should you a screenshot of my browsing history if that would calm you down] looking for LODGINGS!!! Then booking viewings for SUNDAY 10th March! That is exactly what I have done. If you had timed and read all my replies I mentioned I had 3 today why why are you persisting with this ridiculous moaning when you have been given clear responses so very early on is bloody bizarre.

You need accommodation. Your plan fell through. Turn the page and continue to look for accommodation even if it's just temporary one month until you find the perfect bijou one bedroom flat with the perfect tenancy!

I am a London Landlady This makes sense nowand have taken lodgers short term/in between lodgings for half the sums you are quoting, in Zone 1, I am walking 10mins to 3 tube stations! We do exist. Just LOOK for those instead of utterly wasting your time and energy googling how to sue. If necessary put some of your belongings into storage for a month and you still would have change from the sums you are quoting. FYI My Solicitor daughter just said - You will lose it is not a Judge Judy case! In fact she cant see what your case is. You ought to thank your lucky stars you were not scammed and genuinely lost real hard cash.

If you must use google as some utterly accurate fount of all information (sic) do try to google the difference between Licence Agreements and Tenancy Contracts for future information.

Please move on and FORGET this idea of suing over this.