Can a landlord "throw" me out without a written contract?

Lord_Frugal12

An Update:

Since I posted this issue here, a lot has changed. I really want to know if any of what is happening is legal. I have tried all morning to get through to the nearest Citizen's Advice Bureau. I could not get far. I will try again after posting here. In the mean time, would someone here please help me with some information.

1. Yesterday evening, I was told that the landlord is phoning up his relatives and friends to get enough people "to beata the  !!!!!! out of" me.  I was left shaken. So, I phoned 101. I told the police handler about this landlord coming in to my room whenever he wants. I have audio recordings of these incidents. I told them my room has no lock. The police handler from 101 said the accommodation issue is a civil matter. With regards to threat and harassment, I should call 999 if someone is there in front of me. 

I was told by a third party that three men were coming to "beat the !!!!!! out of" me at around  7.30 pm. So, I waited with my phone to record the incident and ready to call 999. It was tense. I had the door shut by having two screwdrivers underneath. I  put a lot of books to delay anyone getting to me. I was improving! 

I waited until 8.30 pm. No one came. 

Then, I was told they would come at 9 am today. 

So, again, I had to wait anxiously. 

But, no one came. But, the landlord noticed that I got a body cam on myself. And he had  said, "He is wearing a body cam in my own house. How about that?"

I am doing it to prevent the landlord any false accusations. 

This morning, I am told by a third party that the landlord plans to stay here all the time. My key to the house has been confiscated.  So, if I leave to get food to eat, I won't be able to get back in. And my two suitcases and two backpacks would be inside. 

The landlord claims that he can just throw out my stuff and lock the house. Is that possible? Is that legal? He claims that a Citizen's Advice Bureau adviser told him this.  That adviser had also told him that someone must be at the property all the time and I must never be left alone. Is this the type of advice a professional person who acts as a CAB adviser would say to a landlord? Surely, the CAB adviser must empathise with my plight? How could a CAB adviser say it is ok to throw out the tenant / lodger's belongings out on the pavement? 

I really would like some advise. I am trying to find alternative accommodation. In the mean time, I do need somewhere to live to plan my next move. 

        
 

Herzlos

Independent of the legality, it doesn't sound safe to be there. I'd keep everything packed and contact shelter now - https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help

Why are you still there?

Grumpy_chap

You are in poor accommodation.
You have no written contract.
You pay monthly at the beginning of the month.
You are a lodger with few rights.
The LL can evict you easily:  https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/eviction_of_lodgers_and_other_excluded_occupiers
You are now fearful for your own safety.
You have limited amount of personal possessions:  "my two suitcases and two backpacks"
You are now being held effective prisoner in your home:  "My key to the house has been confiscated.  So, if I leave to get food to eat, I won't be able to get back in"  (how was the key confiscated?)  

It seems to me the best thing to do would be to take your two suitcases and two backpacks and do as @Herzlos said:

Herzlos said:

It's still summer and warm, if you've got virtually no stuff and not tied to a location, I'd be tempted to buy a tent and go stay at a campsite somewhere nice for a few weeks. It could cost you at little as about £5/night for the pitch, and you'll still be in a better condition with a clean and private space.

That gets you out of the immediate situation, leaves you free to come and go as you please, gives you access to showers etc.  It is not wonderful but does seem to be an improvement on the current situation. 
You can easily have a tent with enough space to also keep your personal possessions (two suitcases and two backpacks) in. 
If you go tomorrow and do this, you will not be forfeiting an excessive amount of pre-paid rent.  If you stay another week, you will have the next month's rent to pay.
You can then stay safe and pursue the house purchase to complete as swiftly as possible and start your new future.

PartyOfFive

It’s a wind up thread

deannagone

Tents are great, until it gets windy (and depending on the tent fabric) rains.  Even expensive tents don't like wind.., which we have been getting.  I've experienced this (not a hurricane, not a big storm, just more than a light breeze).

If the OP can afford to buy a house, pay legal fees, body cam.., surely a cheap room somewhere is also manageable?  But make sure the 'cheap room' is a bit more official.  I've lived in a room with no paperwork, the LL really did throw people out with no notice.  I left pretty quickly after seeing how he operated and realising our closest neighbours were mice lol.

I was glad to see the LL did actually get into a lot of trouble a year or two later, followed by more serious trouble (financial and legal) a couple of years after that.  He was a bully, he rented out houses and commercial properties in terrible condition and he did finally get his come uppance.  

So make your life simpler, as I keep saying.  If you are buying a property, surely you have enough for deposit etc for a decent room somewhere else for a short while.  Your present accommodation is more trouble than its worth right now. Even an AirBnB room for a couple of nights while you find something slightly longer term surely is possible?

FreeBear

deannagone said: If the OP can afford to buy a house, pay legal fees, body cam.., surely a cheap room somewhere is also manageable?  But make sure the 'cheap room' is a bit more official.

A B&B or Travel Lodge for a couple of nights just to get some breathing space to plan the next move.