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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Urgent help needed, Permitted Occupier

116 replies

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:40

Firstly, sorry to post in this topic but I need urgent help.

I started a relationship with someone in May this year. I had to leave the house I was living in, he was separated but still living at home so we rented a house together. I was not able to be on the tenancy due to credit/referencing issues, but I am a permitted occupier on the contract. The tenancy is in his name, but everything in the house is mine.

On Friday night he told me he was pulling the plug. He had given notice on the house and I had to go. He has gone back home and the house is being marketed. We have been here less than 4 weeks! Everything in the house is mine. I have nowhere to go. It would take ages to move all my furniture etc out even if I did have somewhere to go.

There have been multiple red flags over the months, more so since we moved in but that is another thread.

I know I was stupid to move in with him so quickly but I had to leave my previous address, so please don't judge me on that. I never ever saw this coming. I feel utterly shell shocked and at a loss.The landlord appears to be siding with him for some reason and won't even consider me taking on the tenancy.

It may also be pertinent to say that I do have bills here that are in my name and I am on the electoral role, if that makes any difference whatsover.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:

Bingbong21 · 02/11/2021 10:44

You don't have any options unless you are a tenant. Get your stuff in storage and contact your local authority for housing options

Leftbutcameback · 02/11/2021 10:46

Hi OP - you mentioned credit and referencing issues which was why you couldn’t be on the tenancy to start with. Is there any improvement in these? I guess that’s why the LL still might not want you to be a tenant. Any chance of getting someone to be a guarantor for you?

Bargoed · 02/11/2021 10:46

Look for a storage unit asap

Leftbutcameback · 02/11/2021 10:47

Also if it’s an AST then it’s a six month minimum tenancy, so a bit confused about having only been there for 4 weeks?

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:48

@Leftbutcameback

No, not at the monthly rental cost unfortunately.

OP posts:

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:49

@Leftbutcameback I know!! I have no idea what is going on. I suspect he may have paid 6 months to buy himself out of the tenancy, but I don't know when and how.

OP posts:

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:51

It's not just about looking for a storage unit. I have made this my/our home and it makes me feel sick having to leave.

OP posts:

Spunout · 02/11/2021 10:51

Unless you can find somewhere else,you need to stay put and wait for the landlord to go through the process of eviction,your council wont house you until then and if you leave before eviction you'll be classed as voluntarily homeless and they wont help.good luck op.

Spoonio · 02/11/2021 10:51

Can you afford to pay the rent on your own?

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:53

@Spoonio At a push, yes I could.

OP posts:

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:54

@Spunout

But if I'm not the tenant, could he just not come in and change the locks to stop me returning?

OP posts:

dreamingbohemian · 02/11/2021 10:54

I think unfortunately you have to treat this as a crisis and be fairly brutal in what happens next.

Sell anything you don't absolutely need
Put most of the rest of it into storage
Find a room in a shared flat, hopefully you can find someone who will be happy with payslips and won't run a credit check
Take some time to recover and get your financial affairs in order, so you never have to depend on a man like this again

JustLyra · 02/11/2021 10:55

Speak to Shelter to get the correct advice for where you are (rules can be totally different in different parts of the UK)

HarrietsChariot · 02/11/2021 10:56

If you can't find anywhere else your best bet is to refuse to leave at the end of the tenancy. Usually the landlord will have to take you to court, get the judge to order you to leave, take you back to court when you don't leave, and get the judge to authorise bailiffs to remove you. Then the council will consider you for help.

That's the process when someone is the actual tenant - I'm not sure if it's the same in your case where you're not officially on the tenancy. But either way, don't move until the court literally forces you.

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 10:57

@dreamingbohemian

I think unfortunately you have to treat this as a crisis and be fairly brutal in what happens next.

I will never trust a man again, let alone depend on one. This has been brutal.

OP posts:

Dontstepinthecowpat · 02/11/2021 10:57

Why did you have to leave your own property so quickly? That would have a bearing on advice given.

Corkit · 02/11/2021 11:00

Have you rung Shelter OP? They will know the legalities of you not being on the tenancy and will be able to advise what your next step should be.

ImUninsultable · 02/11/2021 11:03

Were you evicted from your previous property? What were the circumstances? Because something has put a big mark on your credit history to stop anyone taking you on.

Call Shelter. They are experts. They know what they are doing. Follow their advice.

HarrietsChariot · 02/11/2021 11:05

According to this you have the same rights as if you were on the tenancy agreement, it's treated as a joint tenancy even though your name is not on it, therefore the tenancy can't be ended without your joint agreement. That's Scotland though. Not sure where you are, rules may be different in England Wales or NI (or anywhere else).

user1471538283 · 02/11/2021 11:06

How awful! I would sell everything you do not need, store as much as possible and rent a room somewhere whilst you get your thoughts together. Once you are more settled you can start to look around for your own place.

Leftbutcameback · 02/11/2021 11:08

I agree re calling Shelter, so you know what your rights are and what action to take.

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 11:09

I was evicted. I moved in there in March, had an awful time with my previous landlords (currently going through harassment charges against them). Even though I could afford the property I lied about my situation as I knew I would not go through referencing. The previous landlords followed me to the new house (not this one), and traced the owners through land registry and contacted them directly, alledging all kinds of spurious accusations. So I had to leave there too.

The man I was with persuaded me not to fight the legal battle as it would be expensive and I was unlikely to win. He came up with the idea of us living together even though I did have my concerns.

OP posts:

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 11:19

I can't get through to Shelter. I will try their online chat.

I did see this though:

"However, you may, in some circumstances, be able to ask a court to give you short-term rights to stay in the accommodation or to transfer the tenancy into your name. You should get legal advice before doing this."

OP posts:

FatCatThinCat · 02/11/2021 11:21

You need to contact Shelter and get advice from them. Also contact your local housing department Don't take any action or agree to anything until you've had professional advice. Do you have children?

Original poster

SerendipitousEmma · 02/11/2021 11:24

@FatCatThinCat

They're both over 18 unfortunately and not living at home.

OP posts:

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