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AIBU?

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Original poster

Nowhere to live over Christmas, advice needed

161 replies

Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 21:29

I was meant to be completing on my first home this weekend, but the seller pulled out last minute, despite pressuring me for weeks to exchange - there was a legal issue outstanding that took a few weeks for solicitors to resolve, not a big deal, or my fault, but obvs needed sorting. Then at point of exchange the seller decided not to move afterall. I'm devastated.

I've given notice on my rental flat and new tenants are moving in soon. I have nowhere to go now, there are hardly any rentals around that I can afford. Airbnbs costs a bloody fortune. I need to be able to commute to work in London 3-4 days a week. I've spent 20 years saving for my deposit, I can't afford to go throwing several grand away on an Airbnb for several months while I get my shit together finding a new rental or place to buy - then I'll never be able to afford to buy. I have no family left, and no close friends any more so can't stay with anyone.

Any advice? And yes, things could be worse, I could be completely broke and homeless, so at least I'm lucky enough to have some funds.

OP posts:
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Monty27 · 30/11/2024 22:36

@Bakewellbits join all your local groups on Facebook and ask if someone would rent short term. I've known people to rent that way. It really can work.

timenowplease · 30/11/2024 22:35

Why did you hand in your notice before you'd even exchanged?

Theak · 30/11/2024 22:34

Look at spare room.com - lots of people renting out rooms in their home

Original poster
Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 22:34

Btw I gave notice because I can't afford to pay rent and pay a mortgage...

OP posts:
CRD67 · 30/11/2024 22:29

Spareroom.co.uk is good for short term cheaper rooms to rent at reasonable cost. You'll probably have to share facilities with other occupants but it'll get you through. Good luck.

Thehaberdasher · 30/11/2024 22:24

Oh what shot timing. Sorry OP.
I hope you get to tell those sellers what idiots they are to have put you in this position.

Take to Facebook - say your sale has fallen through. There will be some friend of a friend looking to sublet, which will at least give you somewhere to stay in the short term. Also try spareroom for short term sublets.

lolit · 30/11/2024 22:24

Try trustedhousitters, someone might need housitting over the holidays

ResultsMayVary · 30/11/2024 22:24

Narkacist · 30/11/2024 21:42

Look for a housesit/petsit (via local fb group or trustedhousesitters.com) or property guardianship.

I was going to suggest this too. At Christmas there are lots of people looking for pet minders while they are away so it should be relatively easy to find one.

RedVelvetIcing · 30/11/2024 22:23

It sounds selfish but think of yourself first and try to stay where you are. If that’s really not an option ask if your landlord or estate agent have any suitable rentals.

Startinganew32 · 30/11/2024 22:22

OP you poor thing I really feel for you. Have you been on Spare Room at all and looked for a room to stay in? That would be easier and cheaper than finding a whole property. Put any stuff in storage and get on with house hunting. It’s a buyers market at the moment so I hope you find something quickly.

JobHuntingMum · 30/11/2024 22:22

OP try posting on the Caterham Life Facebook group, also the Whyteleafe and Kenley one. Someone may be renting a room cheap-ish? Also talk to Shelter, they're super helpful.

Original poster
Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 22:13

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 21:51

What area you are roughly in OP- Essex, Surrey, Kent etc?
Where in London do you need to commute to? We might have other suggestions if we had more geographical info.

Thanks. I'm currently near Croydon and need to commute to London Bridge mostly. I was meant to be moving to Caterham/Coulsdon area.

Also I have a long term health condition and get fantastic care from my current hospital and GP surgery, which is not typically the norm, so would like to stay in the area for this reason too.

OP posts:
ISeriouslyDoubtIt · 30/11/2024 22:06

It is really terrible luck for this to happen and I hope you find some of the suggestions on here useful and can get some accommodation sorted out.
Too late for you now, but unfortunately it is not uncommon for parties to pull out of the house buying process at the last minute, which is why I'd advise anyone moving from a rental to purchase NOT to give notice to leave before you have actually exchanged contracts, and then have completion a month later or however long the notice period is, otherwise you do run the risk of being homeless.

LadyGabriella · 30/11/2024 22:00

apat93 · 30/11/2024 21:58

A legal notice to vacate the property cannot be rescinded. Lots of info on shelter.com

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/privateerenting/endingaaperiodictenancy/howwmuchnotice

Likely at the end of the notice period is when the landlord could only attempt to apply for her eviction.

Evicting tenents is a lengthy process.

Dotto · 30/11/2024 22:00

I'd look for some sort of holiday accommodation that may be empty and willing to do a few months let over the winter. Or a house share in extremis.

apat93 · 30/11/2024 21:58

A legal notice to vacate the property cannot be rescinded. Lots of info on shelter.com

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/privateerenting/endingaaperiodictenancy/howwmuchnotice

TiramisuThief · 30/11/2024 21:57

Oh my goodness OP that's awful.

I have no advice but I hope you find something. I'd be tempted to put all my stuff in storage and find somewhere as a lodger if possible. Should be cheaper than your current rent with any luck.

Barney16 · 30/11/2024 21:57

If you can stay put do that. Are you in a city with a university? Often universities rent out their student halls over holidays and it used to be cheaper than a hotel. The website is University Rooms.

LadyGabriella · 30/11/2024 21:55

apat93 · 30/11/2024 21:52

That's not necessarily true. Only a tenant or the courts can end a tenancy and as OP has given notice she would have to leave on the date stated. If the landlord had issued a section 21 to ask her to leave you'd be correct. Once notice is given by the tenant there's no going back.

Show quote history

She can rescind her notice. Don’t give bad legal advice. They can’t remove her without going to court. Which again would likely take in excess of 6 months.

marshmallowfinder · 30/11/2024 21:54

Look on spareroom.com. Well worth a go.

apat93 · 30/11/2024 21:52

LadyGabriella · 30/11/2024 21:34

Don’t leave your current flat. They can’t legally evict you without going through a long process that can take > 6 months. Doesn’t matter that tenents are lined up. Just say you arnt leaving at present.

That's not necessarily true. Only a tenant or the courts can end a tenancy and as OP has given notice she would have to leave on the date stated. If the landlord had issued a section 21 to ask her to leave you'd be correct. Once notice is given by the tenant there's no going back.

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 21:51

What area you are roughly in OP- Essex, Surrey, Kent etc?
Where in London do you need to commute to? We might have other suggestions if we had more geographical info.

BlondeFool · 30/11/2024 21:50

House sitting sites? I see long term ones.

Good luck. Absolutely shit situation.

BournardTourney · 30/11/2024 21:48

800-1k for a month to stay in a room in London. Not ideal but if you don’t want to interrupt/ temporarily delay the new tenants moving in you are going to have to spend money.