Advice Needed Please.

petunia100

My husband died a few months ago and because I can no longer aford the rent on my own, I started looking for somewhere new to rent. I thought It would take months and my tenancy agreement doesn't end until July. However within a couple of months a council near where my son lives offered me a brand new flat. Obviously, I couldn't turn it down and have moved in.

I am trying to get hold of my landlord and his letting agent but they won't respond to me. I've phoned them, e-mailed them and sent a signed for letter which they received the next day asking them to contact me but they haven't. We have been tenants in the property for 15 years and have never once paid our rent late. We were on a rolling contract but a couple of years ago they blackmailed us into signing a fixed tenancy. This is causing me a lot of stress on top of going through the loss of my husband. How am I supposed to come to some sort of agreement with them when they won't even communicate with me.

I know the law changes on the 1st May stopping fixed tenancy agreements. I am appauled at the way they are treating me, given I am dealing with bereavement and also ill health. I have told them that I have a heart condition and several other health issues. I am also a pensioner. Can anyone give me advice as to what I should do?

elsien

When was your fixed term tenancy signed and when did it end - you say it was a couple of years ago and they’re not normally that long without some sort of break clause. If it has ended without being renewed, you will be back on a rolling contract
You need to check what sort of tenancy are currently on and what it actually says with regards to ending it.

silvercar

Have you given notice? If not, then formally give notice and return the keys. They then have a duty to mitigate their losses by re-letting as soon as possible, even if they later bill you for missing rent or letting costs. You really don’t need to do any more, they have your contact details.

petunia100

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913595#Comment_81913595

Sorry, I should explain that for the last 2 years they have forced us to sign a fixed agreement every year.

Myci85

I recommend contacting Shelter or Citizens Advice for some information and advice about what you should do.

_Penny_Dreadful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6658528/advice-needed-please

Blackmail…intriguing.

Is there a break clause in your tenancy agreement? If yes, invoke that.

If not and the landlord nor the letting agent is responding to you I suggest withholding the rent until they do respond. Right now there's nothing motivating them to get in contact you.

Once that gees the landlord into action negotiate a surrender of the tenancy.

KxMx

Can you visit the letting agent in person?

petunia100

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913987#Comment_81913987

What I mean by blackmailing is the choice was sign it or leave.

petunia100

No. It's too far.

petunia100

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913987#Comment_81913987

There isn't a break clause. It says in several places 'at the end of the tnancy or it's sooner determination'

BungalowBel

I can't help with your problem, other than to echo what another poster has said; give formal notice and hand the keys back.

But just want to say, try and enjoy your new home near your son. Congratulations!