I have a rental dilemma

[MaHeidMaHeid]

Back story - I rent privately with absolutely no chance of buying unfortunately. I have moved a few times and most recently moved in to this property in June because my previous landlord needed the house back. I had to take the first flat I could find because I'm on housing benefit (illness, sorry) and it's very very difficult in this area to find a landlord that will accept tenants on benefits. I stupidly signed for this flat without viewing because I knew the landlord and he has a big building firm and several properties in the area that he rents out. I thought with him being a builder etc the flat would be in good nick but it's just not. I have a mice issue, rotton kitchen, joists, flooring, holes in the ceiling, absolutely no heating at all because the storage heaters don't work, ripped unplastered walls and it's freezing and it stinks of damp. I've asked so many times for the issues to be addressed and nearly 6 months on I'm not any further forward.

I have been offered a stunning house not far from where I am now, it's very very cheap because it's a family friend who will be renting it to me and it's got 2 big gardens with the school 2 minutes away.
The only issue is that the house is currently up for sale. She is in no rush to sell but obviously it could go in weeks or it could take years. This is only putting me off because I know how difficult it is to find a private rental round here and I would have a month to find somewhere else. Council housing is an option but it would involve living in homeless hostels miles away for an indefinite period before I got a place, if I even got one at all.

What should I do? I really really don't want to stay in this flat any longer it's disgusting but I've been looking for ages for somewhere else and I'm getting nowhere.

How much to you dislike moving?

In your situation, it sounds like anything is better than the place you are currently in, so I'd take the house that is for sale just as a way of getting you a better house over the winter.

Even the quickest sales take 2 months or more to go through, so you aren't going to be out on your ear with a week's notice. As long as the owner is happy to keep you updated when they accept an offer, and when things progress, you'll have time to start looking for another private rental. The hostel option doesn't sounds great, sorry.

I'd take it. Living in damp, unheated housing during winter is awful, I know from experience. You don't know what might happen in the future, but you do know that the place you're in isn't good. Like sparechange said, you'll have 2-3 months notice, as long as you're kept updated.

First of all take pictures of all the disrepair in the current property.

If your friend is accepting rent (how cheap?) and you have sole occupancy of the new house then that automatically gives you an assured shorthand tenancy which is for 6 months. Regardless of what you/she agree, its housing law (if she sells and you go to the council they will tell you to return to the property and that the landlord must serve correct notice etc. ) she will have to give two months notice. Again, by law.

Even then, if she waits three months before putting it on the market she could get a buyer quickly. Your local council may not accept a homeless application from you or offer temporary accommodation until there is a court order in place.

Sorry but knowing housing as i so i would address the issue in the current property. Contact Housing standards at the council.

Take it and start looking for a new rental straight away from there, nothing to lose.

That's all assuming you are in England.

I would take it and then keep looking for a suitable long term rental. Current place sounds awful and won't be helping your illness!

Notta - I'm in Scotland and I'm going to discuss the ins and outs of everything with her tonight because I'm going to need a tenancy agreement to give to the council regarding hb etc.

I think I'm going to go for it even if it's a stop gap. It also means I can save up for a deposit for elsewhere and just keep my ears open for private rents.

I don't mind moving, I've done it so many times I'm pretty confident I can do it in a week or so.

The house is on the market already, it has been for a month or so will that cause me issues with a tenancy agreement?

I would speak to shelter for general advice. Rules are different in Scotland. Good luck! (you don't want current decisions big held against you by the council in future)

if you have to get her to evict you, and all those shenanigans, you might find she is not your friend for much longer - also it might put off potential buyers if you are living there

think carefully about the risk of losing her as a friend

dont mean to be a negative ninny, but i think thats quite important