Renting without tenancy agreements - your rights

hazyjo

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/what_is_illegal_eviction
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/types_of_renting_agreement (go to Verbal Agreements)

Durban

Speak to Shelter and note down / record all communication from her

Starekss

I've just borrowed some money and I will move out next Friday. Can I still sue her for harassment and bullying and illegal eviction if I will move out just like that ? I have emails from her first stating that I'm not a tenant and that I have no right to stay there, then after a while when I've said I am moving out on Friday 13th she started to send me some charges for changing carpet and some bills and says I have some arrears. She is threatening me, laughing in my face that she will make me homeless and bullying me, when I've said that she talks to me like to a dog, her response : "I would talk to a dog better than to you". She also placed camera watching me 24/7 in living room, hallway and kitchen. She made my life living hell...

hazyjo

Have you spoken to Shelter yet? We've told you what to do so not sure why you're just adding more info to your posts.

Starekss

I tried calling yesterday, after 30 minutes of waiting my battery went off. Today I was just trying to borrow money and find new place. I contacted civil legal advice and police, can shelter do more for me ? I'm just asking if I will still have rights to do it, I don't want to be bullied while I'm here so before I will sue her I would like to move out.

oldbikebloke

Slithery said:

newsgroupmonkey_ said:

Have a read of the very first post at the top of this forum.

Unfortunately all of G_M's guides have been removed - I was going to point the OP there myself.

oohhh how pathetic 
the most useful source of info and they remove it because (not allowed to write more, would be against the rules)

greatcrested

If you move out voluntarily it will make any claim for, or accusation of, illegal eviction harder to prove. Of course, you could still argue that the actions of the LL left you no choice (see Protection from Eviction Act 1977 S1 (3) )   but that is harder to prove.

Sue for harassment and bullying? What financial loss have you incurred? If the costs of moving, see my comment above about moving voluntarily.......

Starekss

I had to borrow money to move out, I had nothing as she made me pay for everything 10 days ago. So that would be over 500 pounds. Now she is trying to charge me for carpet and other stupid things, threatening me and verbally abusing, laughing in my face that she will make me homeless. I feel I have more health loss now since I can't sleep or eat for 3 days now, feel terrible can't cope normally. I feel afraid of my life. I am not moving volutarily, I am being forced to move out (multiple emails with threats and talking to me like a dog, and camera spying 24/7). She actually said she gave her account for that cam to her friend, and she is watching me 24/7. All of the above made me not being able to just leave, is that moving out volutarily ? I called police and CLA and they know that she is doing all of this. Is it hard to prove later ?

Windofchange

Stick some tape over the camera(s) lens? Problem solved. Or if they are adjustable then print out a picture of David Hasslehoff in his speedos and point them all at that? 

As per previous posts, you don't have to go anywhere. If you are paying rent to her, then you are treated in the eyes of the law the same as if you had a written and signed contract. It will cost her I would imagine significant money and time to take you to court and evict you legally - as per a previous reply, somewhere in the region of 6 months. If she turns up and throws all your things out onto the street, then she has acted illegally. You packing up and going is the last thing you should be doing unless you have somewhere that you can go to. If you are going to be sleeping on the streets then I would strongly suggest you stay put. If she is harassing you, there is legal recourse to that too. Only reason I would personally be tempted to go anywhere would be if I felt that there was a strong personal threat to my safety - I .e. if she knows a few 'lads' from the local estate who aren't afraid of using a hammer and knife to make a strong argument for you to leave. 

Starekss

If I would be living on the streets I wouldn't leave this place. I organised money and found place to move out on Friday. I am doing this because I am afraid of my mental health at the moment. And the worst part is, my boss at work is her good friend. She is threatening me that I will lose my job if I won't move out (the guy love her and hates me, we used to work together before, so that would happen), knowing both of them they would fabricate something just to kick me out. I really just want to gtfo and don't have to deal with her anymore... That's why I'm forced to leave...