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Original poster

Witholding my rent AIBU

831 replies

littledragon99 · 15/08/2024 13:29

I'm a woman in my late 40s, living in a 3-bed Victorian terrace in West London, where I pay £1,200 a month with all bills included. I signed an AST in May.
I work in recruitment and DJ on the side. Despite being skilled in my job, financial difficulties have arisen following my mother’s death, and I've struggled with timely rent payments. I’m currently in therapy to manage my depression.
Recently, my landlady has begun Airbnb-ing the living room, removing the communal space I was paying for. Given this change, I believe the £1,200 rent is no longer justified.
Additionally, she inappropriately contacted my boss, (my boss was my reference) about paying rent directly and has threatened eviction. I’ve consulted Citizens Advice and suspect my deposit wasn’t placed in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), which may breach legal requirements.
Due to these issues, I’ve withheld my rent since August 1st and am prepared to take further action if needed.

OP posts:
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9
IDontHateRainbows · 17/08/2024 20:07

This is textbook how people become street homeless.... get a drug habit, prioritise any money on drugs, get behind on rent, get evicted. OP please sort yourself out before it comes to that.

IDontHateRainbows · 17/08/2024 19:58

Coke works as an anti depressant.. for however many hours the user is shoving it up their nose. The aftermath is a DEPRESSANT, which is why the OP keeps going back to itm it's also horrendously expensive.

I'm not sure whether to feel a modicum of pity for her. She may well be out on the streets soon, with a nasty drug habit, we all know what could happen next...

butterfly0404 · 17/08/2024 19:56

No wonder you can't pay your rent if you have a coke habit. Get some help, you need it.

OhmygodDont · 17/08/2024 19:33

Looool
You do coke.

so you could afford your rent but pick drugs. Enjoy life on the streets.

daleylama · 17/08/2024 19:16

GoingRoundThatBlockAgain · 17/08/2024 18:38

@Cosyblankets i bloody hope so as nobody can be this chaotic, surely. I’d hate anyone to end up in the inevitable position facing OP.

Sadly all too common - between two rental flats and a lodger I have endured several who have created similar situations. Its never their fault and always someone else's problem.

Myahee · 17/08/2024 19:10

PrincessofWells · 17/08/2024 18:44

No, this is wrong. The landlord moving in will not void your Assured Shorthold Tenancy. It will remain an AST, with the normal AST protection.

Show quote history

This is incorrect, as is it not a standard AST that OP has.

It's not possible to have a standard AST unless it's for the entire property.

It's a type of AST, known as a room-only AST, and this will transfer to a licence if the LL moves in.

daleylama · 17/08/2024 19:08

Runningoutoftime99 · 17/08/2024 08:26

@littledragon99 go to the landlords forum on FB you’ll see how many people don’t pay rent and how long you can away with it until you sort your situation out - good luck

terrible advice - she'll get a bad reference, and if in London ( and in her 40's) she'll struggle to find anywhere else.

Bigcat25 · 17/08/2024 19:00

Actually op is similar to someone I know who was self medicating ADHD and depression. It isn't that uncommon. (Not defending it as a good coping strategy.)

PrincessofWells · 17/08/2024 18:44

Myahee · 16/08/2024 22:23

Yes, it's true, and perfectly legal, she's quite within her rights to do so.

You need to pay what you owe, along with an apology. Set up a standing order.
She's likely not going to renew your AST (why would she continue to rent to you, when she can replace you with a decent tenant that does pay on time?).

You say you want security but you're not going about this very well at all.

Show quote history

No, this is wrong. The landlord moving in will not void your Assured Shorthold Tenancy. It will remain an AST, with the normal AST protection.

urbanbuddha · 17/08/2024 18:38

Cosyblankets · 17/08/2024 18:35

Anyone else starting to think we've been had and this isn't real?

Yes.

murasaki · 17/08/2024 18:38

So you are self diagnosed and spend your rent money on coke. Do fuck off and I hope your landlady sees you (legally) out of her house.

GoingRoundThatBlockAgain · 17/08/2024 18:38

@Cosyblankets i bloody hope so as nobody can be this chaotic, surely. I’d hate anyone to end up in the inevitable position facing OP.

urbanbuddha · 17/08/2024 18:37

A notice for the correct period has to be served.

OP says she’s gone no contact with the LL. That might mean she’s not reading emails. We don’t really know what the LL has done.

OP, you need to get advice, and fast. Make an appointment with Shelter. Just do it.

Keep in mind The Marylebone Project.

I’d recommend seeing your doctor re your anxiety and coke use.

Cosyblankets · 17/08/2024 18:35

Anyone else starting to think we've been had and this isn't real?

outdamnedspots · 17/08/2024 18:34

Well, coke isn't cheap either @littledragon99 . And are you sure? Have you seen a GP?

GoingRoundThatBlockAgain · 17/08/2024 18:34

littledragon99 · 17/08/2024 18:32

To get adhd meds you have to have a psych assessment which is in the thousands !

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@littledragon99 so are you officially diagnosed with ADHD or is this a self-diagnosis?

KatherineParr · 17/08/2024 18:33

littledragon99 · 17/08/2024 18:28

No just coffee & coke

Show quote history

OP, gently, do you realise caffeine and cocaine aren't medications and aren't actually helping either your MH or ADHD? Are you getting any proper support for these? I've read your posts but don't think you've covered this (sorry if I've missed it).

Edit: Cross-posted. You've probably spent the equivalent of a private ADHD assessment in cocaine by now. Have you gone on an NHS waiting list?

Original poster
littledragon99 · 17/08/2024 18:32

outdamnedspots · 17/08/2024 18:30

Oh, OP, you sound like a nightmare tenant.

You know you have ADHD. Get yourself on some meds that will help, and set up a DD to pay rent on time.

Your poor landlord.

To get adhd meds you have to have a psych assessment which is in the thousands !

OP posts:
outdamnedspots · 17/08/2024 18:30

Oh, OP, you sound like a nightmare tenant.

You know you have ADHD. Get yourself on some meds that will help, and set up a DD to pay rent on time.

Your poor landlord.

WeeOrcadian · 17/08/2024 18:29

Christ on a bike

I thought I'd seen it all on MN

  1. Stop blaming everything on ADHD - take some bloody responsibility for yourself and your life
  1. Move somewhere you can actually afford
  1. Stop the coke - you can't have your cake and eat it. In this case, have your coke and a roof over your head
  1. Pull your head out of your arse - this is what happens when you don't deal with grown-up life
nocoolnamesleft · 17/08/2024 18:29

You're prioritising buying illegal drugs over paying your rent? Is this a wind up? You're plummeting in the direction of street homelessness, if you don't get rent up to date sharpish.

InkyPinkyPonky24 · 17/08/2024 18:28

Who has told you that cocaine works as an antidepressant OP?

Original poster
littledragon99 · 17/08/2024 18:28

Bigcat25 · 17/08/2024 18:27

Are you taking ADHD meds op? Hope you're able to work things out.

No just coffee & coke

OP posts:
Bigcat25 · 17/08/2024 18:27

Are you taking ADHD meds op? Hope you're able to work things out.

KatherineParr · 17/08/2024 18:24

You're not paying your rent but you're paying for coke?? You honestly need to be getting appropriate MH and ADHD support with appropriately prescribed medication, not self medicating with coke.