Looks like landlords are having more trouble filling rooms?

coffee_prince

Up to a point. I am in the unfortunate position of having to look for a new room/houseshare to live in. It seems like every place I have visited would like to take me on as a tenant. it seems that landlords are having trouble finding tenants who they think have steady jobs. It is unusual having landlord chase me about a room, it always seemed like a landlords game, where the tenants themseves did the chasing.

Let me know your thoughts or experiences.

[Deleted User]

Here's how it's looking on a popular Facebook page for East London flatshares:

aestivus

Yep. I gave my notice on my room over a month ago. My flatmate started off being picky about my replacement, and has now suddenly realised that no one wants to move right now and is panicking. With no replacement in place, I'm obligated to pay out a full two months' notice, but once that is done... I have sympathy (well, some, anyway: she had someone who wanted the room and decided the music he listened to made him 'weird' and thus unsuitable), but so glad it's not my problem. 

D.L

Take advantage and negotiate hard! 

[Deleted User]

aestivus said:

I have sympathy (well, some, anyway: she had someone who wanted the room and decided the music he listened to made him 'weird' and thus unsuitable), but so glad it's not my problem. 

Gone are the glory days when London flatsharers recruiting a replacement could choose between 5 financially solid people all earnestly competing for the room, and after much deliberation would pick the one judged most likely to improve their life in some intangible way (i.e. they'd involve you in their exciting social life, or cook gourmet meals for the whole house, or one of you (ALL of you!) might get to sleep with them).     Now it's just "Won't somebody PLEASE take the room!  Oh God we need to find £600 by tomorrow!!!!!"

greatcrested

aestivus said:

Yep. I gave my notice on my room over a month ago. My flatmate started off being picky about my replacement, and has now suddenly realised that no one wants to move right now and is panicking. With no replacement in place, I'm obligated to pay out a full two months' notice, but once that is done... I have sympathy (well, some, anyway: she had someone who wanted the room and decided the music he listened to made him 'weird' and thus unsuitable), but so glad it's not my problem. 

Do you and your flatmate have separate contracts, or are you both on the same 'joint and several' contract with the landlord? I ask because

* if separate, your flatmate neednot worry - your flatmate just continues to pay his rent for his room, and gets to have the place to himself. Filling your vacancy is the landlord's problem.

* if 'joint and several', and assuming you are both on a periodic (rolling) tenancy, then by serving notice, you are ending the tenancy for both joint tenants, not just for yourself. When the notice expires in 2 months, you must both leave, unless your flatmate signs a new contract, either in his sole name, or jointly with someone else. Is this what he is trying to do?

As a warning, if no new contract is agreed by your flatmate and landlord, but you do not both leave, the LL can charge double rent......

aestivus

greatcrested said:

aestivus said:

Yep. I gave my notice on my room over a month ago. My flatmate started off being picky about my replacement, and has now suddenly realised that no one wants to move right now and is panicking. With no replacement in place, I'm obligated to pay out a full two months' notice, but once that is done... I have sympathy (well, some, anyway: she had someone who wanted the room and decided the music he listened to made him 'weird' and thus unsuitable), but so glad it's not my problem. 

Do you and your flatmate have separate contracts, or are you both on the same 'joint and several' contract with the landlord? I ask because

* if separate, your flatmate neednot worry - your flatmate just continues to pay his rent for his room, and gets to have the place to himself. Filling your vacancy is the landlord's problem.

* if 'joint and several', and assuming you are both on a periodic (rolling) tenancy, then by serving notice, you are ending the tenancy for both joint tenants, not just for yourself. When the notice expires in 2 months, you must both leave, unless your flatmate signs a new contract, either in his sole name, or jointly with someone else. Is this what he is trying to do?

As a warning, if no new contract is agreed by your flatmate and landlord, but you do not both leave, the LL can charge double rent......

It's a contract in both names that - as it happens - completes its 12 month term at the same time as I am departing it. The flatmate intends to stay, so from what the agency has told me, there will be a new contract in her name (or with someone else, assuming she finds someone). 

dimbo61

Everyone is nervous about signing a new rental contract or buying a new property. Many foreign nationals have returned home to be with family and friends at this time.
We all need somewhere to live.
Have a look on spareroom to see how many people are searching for a place to live in London !

[Deleted User]

dimbo61 said:

Have a look on spareroom to see how many people are searching for a place to live in London !

The answer is "Not many", right?

I don't think there are many new adverts being posted, though there will still be a lot of old ones up.

coffee_prince

I've decided to stay put for another month. I have written off the holding deposit and will see how it goes. Too much hassle to be moving right now.