Considring buying a house which may have subsidence (house insurance claim in progress)

AndyTails

Echoing other people here: I don't think this property is a good buy.

If they'd found the cause of the subsidence, and fixed it, then all good. For an ongoing/unresolved subsidence issue I'd expect a massive discount. Considering the internal works you say are needed, I'm not sure there's any discount for the subsidence issue at all...

G_M

2cojones wrote: »

........ My problem is that I need to buy a house very soon or commit to a further year of renting a different house (need to move out of current rental in April),........

Two possible misconceptions here:

1) why have to move out in April? End of Fixed Term? Does not end the tenancy. Have you received a S21 Notice? See link below.

2) why have to commit to 12 months? Many LLs offer an initial 6 month contract. Or 12 months with 6 month Break Clause. Or Contractual Periodic Tenancy (monthly rolling).

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

2cojones

G_M wrote: »

Two possible misconceptions here:

1) why have to move out in April? End of Fixed Term? Does not end the tenancy. Have you received a S21 Notice? See link below.

2) why have to commit to 12 months? Many LLs offer an initial 6 month contract. Or 12 months with 6 month Break Clause. Or Contractual Periodic Tenancy (monthly rolling).

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Thanks for your post. I have to be out in April as the private landlady is planning on carrying out substantial works to the house to then move in herself. She has already extended the rental from January to April and will not extend again.


When I was looking to rent back in August 2017 I found it really difficult to find anywhere who would give me anything less than a one year agreement. This turned out to be fine for then but now I really want to get back on the property ladder.

G_M

2cojones wrote: »

Thanks for your post. I have to be out in April as the private landlady is planning on carrying out substantial works to the house to then move in herself. She has already extended the rental from January to April and will not extend again.

I repeat: do you have a fixed term that ends in April? If so, has she served a S21 Notice?



Or did she serve one to expire in Jan? If so, by extending to April it is now invalid.


You do not have to leave when the FT expires (you did read the link yes?).

Moneyminded

If you have to leave by the end of April would you consider moving into a house share? I have found LL's of house shares to be more flexible with tenancies than when you rent a whole property which could give you the flexibility you need around buying a different property?

Whilst house shares aren't ideal (I hated it!) you can save more money and it will certainly keep you motivated to move as fast as possible when you find the right house for you.

Just a thought. Good luck with your search

ceb1995

good luck with your search. definitely missed a bullet there, even if it was sorted before completion it would be more expensive just on your insurance let alone how much the works would cost.

2cojones

G_M wrote: »

I repeat: do you have a fixed term that ends in April? If so, has she served a S21 Notice?



Or did she serve one to expire in Jan? If so, by extending to April it is now invalid.


You do not have to leave when the FT expires (you did read the link yes?).

Hi G_M. I read your linked post.The FT finished last October and am now on a Contractual Periodic Tenancy just rolling month-to-month. I have not been served an S21 Notice. The private landlady has been very understanding and helpful and I could not ask for more. I will take your advise and look for a shorter rental term. Thank you for your advice.

2cojones

Moneyminded wrote: »

If you have to leave by the end of April would you consider moving into a house share? I have found LL's of house shares to be more flexible with tenancies than when you rent a whole property which could give you the flexibility you need around buying a different property?

Whilst house shares aren't ideal (I hated it!) you can save more money and it will certainly keep you motivated to move as fast as possible when you find the right house for you.

Just a thought. Good luck with your search

Thanks for your post. I could consider this option. Tbh I haven't seen much evidence of this in my town (the rental market is quite limited here it seems). I definitely need that flexibility, will look into it.

2cojones

ceb1995 wrote: »

good luck with your search. definitely missed a bullet there, even if it was sorted before completion it would be more expensive just on your insurance let alone how much the works would cost.

Thanks for your post. You are quite right the ongoing insurance would be steep. Apparently there have been at least 4 viewings in the last few days and it's still on the market, so no surprises there.

G_M

2cojones wrote: »

Hi G_M. I read your linked post.The FT finished last October and am now on a Contractual Periodic Tenancy just rolling month-to-month. I have not been served an S21 Notice. The private landlady has been very understanding and helpful and I could not ask for more. I will take your advise and look for a shorter rental term. Thank you for your advice.

Your post said: "need to move out of current rental in April", but in reality it is "want to move out of current rental in April to oblige the LL".


So there are 2 aspects to this. You like/respect the LL, and want to oblige her by leaving when asked. That is fine, but is a choice.


You need somewhere to live, and/or time where you are while you search/buy (or search for a shorter term rental). The law allows you to stay.


You say you have a CPT, so what does the contract say about notice? Whatever it says, the LL has to serve a S21 giving you 2 months, though the contract may give you longer. And the S21 has to be valid:


S21 checklist (Is a S21 valid?)