Accelerated possession order

saajan_12

Some people here seem to read and reapply the same advice from different situations blindly. Estimates of 18 months and 2023 before eviction are generally from the start of the process, ie including the S21 notice period. This OP has already received notice, which is near expiry, so that timeline has already started some months ago. 

There will be a backlog, but I'd only budget for 6-12 months as they could apply to court fairly soon. You'll be later in the queue if you're doing everything correctly (ie rent on time etc), as the indications suggest more egregious cases will be prioritised. This is *likely* to be enough to start the process again to buy a new property, but 6-12+ months isn't unheard of, so the probability of no upheaval is not "zero".

What I'd focus on is either
(a) whether the S21 is valid - there's always lots of things to get exactly right, and you may be able to argue retaliatory eviction as you reported an issue shortly before; or
(b) working with the LL, keeping them updated and agreeing a mutually convenient time to leave. Only if / when you find a new place and are progressing a bit, but could save everyone some court costs and stress. 

newsgroupmonkey_

Gavin83 said:

The general census on here is that landlords are scumbags if they market a property with existing tenants and they should wait until it's vacant. Seems they can't win really....

Whilst I agree that this place almost always sides with the tenant (and Landlordzone thinks that all tenants are scumbags), but yes, landlords should wait until the property as empty. You can't market a property as vacant possession if you don't have possession.

Landlords need to remember that they're running a business. These are costs and considerations when starting and ending the business. My parents don't market their properties unless the tenant has handed their notice in or have left (the former still leaves them vulnerable, but generally, those work out OK).

MC282

Thank you for the advice all.

No chance we wouldn’t pay the rent and turned down rent reduction when LL asked us to accept viewings.

We have had multiple issues with the property, local council now involved and intend to write to LL next week. LL refuses to repair damp in children’s bedroom and despite having a letting agent, emailed me personally to advise that “at least you can walk away, I’ve got to sell it and take a hit financially”. LL just couldn’t fathom why we wouldn’t want strangers coming in and out to view the property in exchange for a £100 rent reduction equating to 8% of the rent. We have had approx 30/40 tradespeople through the doors quoting on various repairs that never amount to anything. 

We don’t necessarily want to be here but until something suitable comes along are happy to wait it out!