Landlord is selling property and I can't afford to move.

Gary_Moore_2

Hi all,

Today I have been informed that my landlord has put the property I am renting up for sale. My tenancy ends in August and I have been assured that I can see the full duration of that out. The rent is £800pm.

However, the rental market is crazy and I simply can't afford to rent anywhere else (raise the deposit, move home and pay an extra few hundred pounds a month).

My 9yr old son lives predominantly with his Mother but stays at mine every other weekend and during school holidays etc. For this reason, I currently live in a 2 bedroom house and was looking to live in a similar dwelling. However, the average rent of such a property is £1000+, there are barely any such properties on the market and they immediately say "viewings fully booked" and so forth.

I earn £33k a year, don't drive and yet I still won't be able to afford to pay such a high rental cost or save enough, in time to raise a deposit and hire a removal van etc.

Basically, what are my options. I suffer with chronic depression and this may be the end of me. I'm struggling to go on. Any help will be appreciated

Thanks in advice

JimDuggan91

If you earn 33k a year, why can't you afford to pay 12k per year for rent? 

Browntoa

I earn way less than that and pay way more than that in rent.

You need to look at what you are spending money on 

SDLT_Geek

Gary_Moore_2 said:

Hi all,

Today I have been informed that my landlord has put the property I am renting up for sale. My tenancy ends in August and I have been assured that I can see the full duration of that out. The rent is £800pm.

However, the rental market is crazy and I simply can't afford to rent anywhere else (raise the deposit, move home and pay an extra few hundred pounds a month).

My 9yr old son lives predominantly with his Mother but stays at mine every other weekend and during school holidays etc. For this reason, I currently live in a 2 bedroom house and was looking to live in a similar dwelling. However, the average rent of such a property is £1000+, there are barely any such properties on the market and they immediately say "viewings fully booked" and so forth.

I earn £33k a year, don't drive and yet I still won't be able to afford to pay such a high rental cost or save enough, in time to raise a deposit and hire a removal van etc.

Basically, what are my options. I suffer with chronic depression and this may be the end of me. I'm struggling to go on. Any help will be appreciated

Thanks in advice

Is the property in England and are you on an assured shorthold tenancy? If so, the tenancy will not end automatically on the expiry of the fixed term if you then remain in occupation.

It is quite possible that it would be in the interests of the landlord to help you move by providing funds for a deposit and some other incentive so that the landlord can sell with vacant possession (rather than having the time and trouble of seeking to end your tenancy through court proceedings, as required).  

There are plenty of posts here about the difficulties a landlord faces in recovering possession and the rights of tenants.

HampshireH

If you can't afford a 2 bed, for a 1 bed and get a sofa bed for the times you need extra sleeping space.  

If your feeling like your not coping with your mental health and your post alludes to that please reach out the support such as Samaritans who can support you https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Emmia

Gary_Moore_2 said:

Hi all,

Today I have been informed that my landlord has put the property I am renting up for sale. My tenancy ends in August and I have been assured that I can see the full duration of that out. The rent is £800pm.

However, the rental market is crazy and I simply can't afford to rent anywhere else (raise the deposit, move home and pay an extra few hundred pounds a month).

My 9yr old son lives predominantly with his Mother but stays at mine every other weekend and during school holidays etc. For this reason, I currently live in a 2 bedroom house and was looking to live in a similar dwelling. However, the average rent of such a property is £1000+, there are barely any such properties on the market and they immediately say "viewings fully booked" and so forth.

I earn £33k a year, don't drive and yet I still won't be able to afford to pay such a high rental cost or save enough, in time to raise a deposit and hire a removal van etc.

Basically, what are my options. I suffer with chronic depression and this may be the end of me. I'm struggling to go on. Any help will be appreciated

Thanks in advice

If you're struggling financially, the people on the Debt Free Boards  can help you to identify where your money is leaking away, if you put up a statement of affairs (SOA).

https://www.lemonfool.co.uk/financecalculators/soa.php

Fill it in, copy and paste in MSE format. 

RHemmings

What part of the country do you live in, and where is your job located? 

FlorayG

Has the LL advertised it for sale 'with vacant possession'? i.e. empty? Because if not then he may be selling it with you included to another landlord.
Are you aware that you don't have to move out at the end of your fixed term? - it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy if the LL does nothing to evict you. Just telling you that you will need to move in August has no legal teeth.
The LL may be wanting to sell because they are not making any money from the property, especially as you are paying well below market rent. It might be worth speaking with the LL and see if an increased rent would be acceptable for him to withdraw from sale
If the LL wants you to vacate in August it's in his interest to offer to pay your removal and other costs in obtaining a new rental; you should be able to get a loan for the new deposit which you can pay off when the current LL returns the deposit he has

springmagpie

My daughter's dad faced the same issue recently, would your son's mother except a lower maintenance payment to allow an extra room? If not then 1 one bed with a sofa bed, which you can sleep on when he is there may be the best option. 

Gary_Moore_2

Browntoa said:

I earn way less than that and pay way more than that in rent.

You need to look at what you are spending money on 

The figure was before tax. I have a loan I am paying off, money I pay my son's mother each month (we agreed a monthly payment rather than going through the courts) and the usual bills and food. This all comes in at just shy of £1900pm.

I don't have Sky TV or any 'unnecessary' bills and so am extra £200pm would leave me with nothing. That doesn't include money for clothes or birthdays/Christmas, and 'active' club my son has to go to during school holidays (they are too frequent and his mother and I already orchestrate our holiday entitlement around said half-terms etc).

I am very shrewd with my money (negotiate bills, don't use heating in winter when I'm on my own, rarely use the oven etc). It's insane how much I have to pay to just 'survive.'

Gary_Moore_2

JimDuggan91 said:

If you earn 33k a year, why can't you afford to pay 12k per year for rent? 

See the reply to a comment after yours 🙂