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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel increasingly pissed off about our living situation?

39 replies

Tiredboymum22 · 15/07/2026 17:55

We rent a lovely property (below market price) off a family member’s ex partner (they were still together when we signed the contract.) It’s spacious, close to town, has a relatively big garden and I can say objectively that we couldn’t afford it if we were paying market price. The most we could afford (privately) is a 2-bed flat (2 DS).

We’ve been here just under two years and we were told it would be a long-term tenancy. After a year of renting, another family told us they were thinking of selling the property so they could buy something bigger but I didn’t hear it from them. I was worried but accepted it (as it isn’t our house) and made sure our names were still on the social housing register. We were told our situation wouldn’t change and that our tenancy was secure. A few months later we received a text out of the blue giving us two months notice threatening court if we didn’t leave by the date set. I have an autistic son so I let him know straight away to give him enough time to adjust to the change. I contacted the council and they asked for our Landlord’s registration number. He admitted to us that he wasn’t registered or insured as a Landlord (as we’re family) but he would get registered with an agency and then “officially” evict us so we can ask the council for help (we have an IVA for six years so privately renting isn’t an option).

As far as I know, he still isn’t registered and now him and said family member are rumoured to be getting back together. I’ve been waiting for weeks for someone to look at a bow in our kitchen ceiling as it was flooded last month. A plumber fixed the pipes which caused the leak but there’s a still a massive bow in the ceiling and there was a light drip the other night (only lasted ten seconds).

From what I’ve gathered, he’s changed his mind. I’ve now told my son we might not be moving but he wants certainty which is understandable.

I was having a moan to DM and she thinks I’m being a bit unreasonable as the house is still above our financial means, but I would honestly rather live in a more rundown 2-bed with so-called “rough” neighbours than deal with this bullshit every few months.

AIBU to ASK our Landlord for a letter of eviction and risk temp accommodation? Or do I just wait it out?

OP posts:
5128gap · 15/07/2026 19:37

Ace56 · 15/07/2026 18:09

I didn’t know this, how ridiculous! So they want people to overstay and the poor landlords to have to go through the process of taking them to court? What a waste of court time if the tenants are willing to move as soon as they are given notice.

OP I would wait it out and then honestly just rent privately, as I don’t think you’ll have any luck with the council. Can you move to a cheaper area so you could afford more?

Show quote history

There is way more demand for social housing than supply. This means local authorities have to prioritise. A family with a roof over their head awaiting eviction by bailifs still has a roof over their head, so is lower priority than a family who have been evicted.
The wait buys the council extra time, so they're not shelling out on emergency accommodation before they absolutely have to. Which is cheaper for the tax payer.
The 'poor landlords' generally do pretty well from the public purse, so they shouldn't really complain about this particular business expense.

RoseField1 · 15/07/2026 19:37

BenefitsSpecialist · 15/07/2026 19:26

Just do some fucking research.

He can't evict you.

Show quote history

He can if he wants to sell the property.

RoseField1 · 15/07/2026 19:37

chocoluv · 15/07/2026 18:28

I would struggle to live with the uncertainty.

Speak to the council and explain your situation that you only have 2 months to leave.

It may be that you have to wait until that actual date and then be put into temporary accommodation first.

Hopefully it just means going higher on the list.

How high are you now?

They don't only have 2 months left. A notice seeking possession isn't a notice of eviction. They don't even have that as far as I can see, so far it's just a text which has no legal relevance.

saraclara · 15/07/2026 19:36

Don't just look at the Shelter website. Call them. As your landlord isn't registered, you might need more specific advice from one of their staff.

RoseField1 · 15/07/2026 19:35

Ace56 · 15/07/2026 18:09

I didn’t know this, how ridiculous! So they want people to overstay and the poor landlords to have to go through the process of taking them to court? What a waste of court time if the tenants are willing to move as soon as they are given notice.

OP I would wait it out and then honestly just rent privately, as I don’t think you’ll have any luck with the council. Can you move to a cheaper area so you could afford more?

Show quote history

Yes because there is a housing crisis. Councils don't have access to housing for everyone who needs it. If you have any other option you have to take it. Only people with genuinely no other option will wait to be evicted. If they accepted people who have just been served notice they would 100% end up housing people who could actually house themselves if they really had to, putting even more pressure on the system.

7238SM · 15/07/2026 19:35

I he didn't follow the correct processes with registration etc has he been completing the correct checks for gas/boiler?

I would honestly rather live in a more rundown 2-bed with so-called “rough” neighbours than deal with this bullshit every few months Me too Have you started looking elsewhere? I'd prefer to move now in the holidays rather than put up with the stress and uncertainty for the rest of the year.

BenefitsSpecialist · 15/07/2026 19:26

MrsMoastyToasty · 15/07/2026 18:09

Read up about your rights on Shelter's website.

Just do some fucking research.

He can't evict you.

chocoluv · 15/07/2026 18:28

I would struggle to live with the uncertainty.

Speak to the council and explain your situation that you only have 2 months to leave.

It may be that you have to wait until that actual date and then be put into temporary accommodation first.

Hopefully it just means going higher on the list.

How high are you now?

Ace56 · 15/07/2026 18:09

FairKoala · 15/07/2026 18:05

You can’t get housed by the council until your landlord takes you to court and then if the judge agrees your landlord can instruct bailiffs to evict you.

It the eviction documentation from the bailiffs when they turn up to your house to evict you that you need.

If you leave because you got an eviction notice from your landlord, the council will say you made yourself intentionally homeless and are not their problem.

I didn’t know this, how ridiculous! So they want people to overstay and the poor landlords to have to go through the process of taking them to court? What a waste of court time if the tenants are willing to move as soon as they are given notice.

OP I would wait it out and then honestly just rent privately, as I don’t think you’ll have any luck with the council. Can you move to a cheaper area so you could afford more?

MrsMoastyToasty · 15/07/2026 18:09

Read up about your rights on Shelter's website.

FairKoala · 15/07/2026 18:05

You can’t get housed by the council until your landlord takes you to court and then if the judge agrees your landlord can instruct bailiffs to evict you.

It the eviction documentation from the bailiffs when they turn up to your house to evict you that you need.

If you leave because you got an eviction notice from your landlord, the council will say you made yourself intentionally homeless and are not their problem.

Octavia64 · 15/07/2026 18:02

There’s no such thing as certainty when it comes to renting (or to owning if you are paying a mortgage).

in future don’t tell your son until much much further on in the process.

if you do want to go to the council you’ll need to correct paperwork and I’ll bet a mars bar your landlord won’t have it.

RoseField1 · 15/07/2026 17:59

There is no such thing as a letter of eviction. In order to be housed by the council you will have to be actually legally properly evicted. That is a long process it's expensive for your landlord and very stressful for you. You are fortunate that the new renters rights Bill means they cannot evict you without due cause. If they want to sell the property they can, and they can evict you but it's going to take a lot more than a letter. You were too premature telling your child that you were moving. I suggest you sit tight, continue to save money and worry about moving only if you actually receive a notice seeking possession. And again, that is not an eviction letter and that's not sufficient for the council to house you.

parietal · 15/07/2026 17:57

I know the uncertainty is hard, but I’d wait it out.