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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
 Posted - 07 April 2011 : 12:45:54
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Hi All,
Got a letter today from our landlords agent informing us that our 6 month contract is up in June and unless we can find 6 months rent we are out.
Issues we have - a) cant find 6 months rent b) both lost our jobs so the "no DSS" hits us with references c) no deposit or funds to move.
Is this legally discrimination or can they do this??? We can afford to stay here (just) but we are up $h!t creek without a paddle if we have to move...
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN |
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RHB
Senior Member
1159 Posts |
Posted - 07 April 2011 : 13:28:11
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| I think it is perfectly legal if you are at the end of your contract. Have you spoken to the agent et & told them of your position? Could you find an advance rent to offer, even if it isn't as much as 6 months? |
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 07 April 2011 : 13:51:52
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HI RHB,
Thanks for the feedback - this is what I think to 
The agent is a complete and utter bastard - they basically don't give a toss.
We can't afford much more than an extra month which we are putting to them but I doubt it will make any difference.
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Bigal4787
forum expert
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 07 April 2011 : 15:25:27
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Hi curlykid,
but he may have to give 2 months notice to get you out, which might give you time to find somewhere else. It might be worth speaking to the tenancy relations officer at your local council about this as well.
Big Al
Insolvency examiner with the Insolvency service from April 2008 - July 2010.
If you need help completing SOA's(statement of affairs) or PIQ's(preliminary information questionnaire) if you've been declared bankrupt, or anything else and you're within 30 miles or so of Warrington, then please contact me via my contact details in the expert page for futher details"
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 07 April 2011 : 15:31:19
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Hi BigAl,
Key issue is if we find somewhere else we tend to flop on the references as we are both BR & both on Job Seekers since December...lol, and we have kids and a dog...we tick all the unwanted boxes!
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inday
Starting Member
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 13 April 2011 : 22:56:44
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hi, try putting your name in council house lists, and because you got kids and will be homeless in few weeks time, the council might prioritise your case. Keep the letter that is saying the landlord need you to move out the house and show to the council. Also, the landlord cannot force you to move out the house until you find another one.
I have been on the same position before and this is the advice I got from the council. Or try Citizens advice bureau for advice.
hope this helps.
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
-- Al Franken
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Housing
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1399 Posts |
Posted - 14 April 2011 : 13:29:15
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Hi
Sorry to hear about your situation.
If the term of the tenancy (often only 6 months) then, yes, the l/lord (or agent) can bring the tenancy to an end. It could, however, continue as a statutory periodic tenancy.
As to whether they can seek a lump payment, yes, they can - (I believe a tad over the top) but it is legal...
They now should serve a s21 notice (or if it has already been served, seek a hearing in the local county court). Come back to the forum on this if you have this info.
DO NOT LEAVE the property!!!
You are entitled to stay there until the court has made an order and even then, ONLY when they have a bailiffs appointment. So, on that basis, you will have at least 4/5 months where you are!!! STAY there please!
Go to your council Housing Options office (town hall or civic offices) and seek advice on homelessness. There is every chance that if you have dependant children or a medical condition, they MAY be able to assist you and your family.
They will be able to look at your situation and see if they have a statutory duty to offer you advice and assistance. They MAY have a DUTY to house you - do not give up, be strong and as necessary, come back to the Forum. They MAY be able to assist with deposit/bond for a new property.
If the agent is harassing you, you MUST take action - ask the Council to deal - they have legal obligations. Many are tossers (technical term!)
You can also contact Shelter or the local CAB for FREE advice
I am happy to assist with more cyber advice
Richard
"There are no problems - only solutions" |
Edited by - Housing on 14 April 2011 13:30:45 |
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 14 April 2011 : 16:01:40
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Hi,
Thanks for all the help so far, not been on for a couple of days as been trying to sort this mess out!!!
Some irony to the outcome tho!!!
Got the letter stating possession on Thursday last week, contacted landlords agent and our council housing officer.
Friday - agent said landlord would rescind the 6 months rent up front and go to a rolling month - result - weight off our mind and a celebration 
Wednesday this week...message on answerphone from housing officer, didn't pay much attention as now sorted...4.30 hand delivered notice of posession from the landlords agent AYE???
Friday, discovered that the Housing Officer called the agent and spilt the beans on our status ie BR, our current employment situation ie JSA and pretty much everything else about us without speaking to us first or gaining any kind of concent to disclose such private information.
As such the agent rescinded the rescind (lol - )- spot the irony - the housing officer who is supposed to help us stop being homeless actually made us homeless!!!
Anyhow - we have managed to find a sympathetic landlord who knows our situation and will take us on - we move in May and its more affordable so in a perverted way its a good thing 
A cautionary tale tho - do make sure you have accommodation sorted when going BR as if this and any impact on your employment are taken into account with a letting agency - chances are you will be like us...ie f*cked!
Thanks to all who have offered advise - its good to know someone is still with us and cares  |
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 14 April 2011 : 17:12:37
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Just discovered that the housing officer appointed to our rather delicate case had been in the job for...1 week!!!
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glafy
forum expert
436 Posts |
Posted - 14 April 2011 : 20:22:51
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Oh curlykid you have certainly had a rollercoaster ride!
I do hope that everything is sorted for you now.
Good Luck & keep in touch.
"Good things come to those who wait".....I'm a patient person but this is taking the Mickey!! |
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 15 April 2011 : 17:17:11
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All sorted now, but thanks for the kind words and thanks to all on the forum who gave input.
Cheers |
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inday
Starting Member
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 15 April 2011 : 21:22:21
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sorry to hear what happened to you,curly kid. I can't believed that the housing officer told the letting agency such a private information about your situation.At least you found another landlord. This soon will be over. Keep holding on.
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
-- Al Franken
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rich1972
Starting Member
United Kingdom
33 Posts |
Posted - 15 April 2011 : 21:46:36
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| glad you got it sorted...we have been in the same position in the past, not due to bankruptcy but just couldnt find anywhere to live and had a crap credit rating so couldnt go through a letting agent, so ended up in a B and B for a week, then emergency accomodation (ridden with cat fleas)so ended up sleeping in my brothers lounge (me wife and 2 kids, one with autism didnt take it too well) for a number of weeks, fortunately a council flat came up...the council have a duty of care towards its constituents but it werent easy...keep pluggin away! |
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Curlykid
Starting Member
19 Posts |
Posted - 16 April 2011 : 15:01:17
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HI,
Thanks once more to all who have replied.
LOL - there is one last massive irony to this - I've just discovered that my ex wife now rents the property 3 doors up from where I am moving to!!! 
You couldn't write em this good could you!!!
Cheers
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Topic |
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Urgent help please regarding landlord
