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Original poster

Landlord!!

56 replies

Kirstyhewlett2018 · 20/04/2019 13:35

Hello, I’m hoping for a bit of advice please.

My tenancy is due to end on the 2nd of May with my private landlord. We have the keys to our new house so have been gradually moving everything over. We had an inspection of the property last week and the landlord was happy. I mentioned we needed to re-paint the walls as my daughter had drawn on the ones in her room (happy to re-paint and pay for paint etc) he was happy with this.
However we received a text today stating he wants his keys back this Tuesday (23rd) as he has new tenants moving in Friday (26th)

Is he allowed to do this? We were going to use our final 2 weeks to make sure the house was as we moved in but now we can’t. We have deep cleaned the house it was only the painting left to do. We have also paid up until the 2nd of May too.

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 20/04/2019 13:37

No he isn't allowed. Do you have a proper tenancy agreement on paper? Is this a private let or through an agency?

TyrionsNextWife · 20/04/2019 13:38

I would agree to hand back the keys early if he refunds the extra rent and your full deposit, despite the way not being painted etc. Make sure you get it writing though!

Ylvamoon · 20/04/2019 13:42

Of you have paid until the 2nd of May than the tenancy is yours until the 2nd.... obviously you could leave earlier & come to an agreement with the landlord over rent payments.

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Property legal advice
ILoveMaxiBondi · 20/04/2019 13:42

I would also agree if he agrees to return full deposit and remaining rent (before you hand keys over!) and accepts the property in the condition it is in now.

Cherrysoup · 20/04/2019 13:47

He cannot do this. Email or text, forwarding your formal notice as a reminder of agreed dates. He can, quite frankly, fuck off trying to get new tenants in early.

Prequelle · 20/04/2019 13:49

No he can't do that and he must be out of his mind to even think he can demand this.

Original poster
Kirstyhewlett2018 · 20/04/2019 13:52

I have a tenancy agreement on paper, it’s a private let.
He’s become quite aggressive since I’ve handed in our notice ( I have also kept all proof of his aggressive behaviours too)
He doesn’t want to give us our deposit back as it’s not decorated but he isn’t willing to give us the 2 weeks to decorate. I’m not sure what to do as he’s given permission for the new tenants to move in Friday

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 20/04/2019 13:52

Surely even if you've looked after the property there'll be wear and tear for him to put right before new tenants come in anyway?

Don't be afraid to stand your ground. I agree with the others

purpleme12 · 20/04/2019 13:53

Go back to him and stand your ground. He's not got a leg to stand on.
And deposit should be protected so he'll have to contest through that

TyrionsNextWife · 20/04/2019 13:56

He can’t have it both ways. If you’re happy to leave early in lieu of decorating, then id email him telling him he has 2 options - either you move early without decorating and he refunds al the deposit or you decorate and keep the keys till the end of the contract. Make it clear that those are the only 2 options available to him.

MotherOfMinions · 20/04/2019 14:18

He’s a cheeky fucker and is trying it on. No wonder LLs have a bad name with this sort of behaviour going on

Original poster
Kirstyhewlett2018 · 20/04/2019 14:33

Ok thank-you everyone for the advice! I’ve emailed him with the 2 options, just waiting for the reply!

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 20/04/2019 14:34

Oh he's "willing to give you two weeks" is he?

He's TRYING IT ON.

He hasn't a leg to stand on legally. He can't make or ask you to leave now. You can stay till your tenancy ends. If he wants you to leave sooner, tell him you want ALL the deposit back IN CASH and you won't be repainting.

See what he says. Tell him you've sought legal advice.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 20/04/2019 15:00

but he isn’t willing to give us the 2 weeks to decorate

It’s not up to him to “give” you the 2 weeks. It’s not his decision. You’ve paid rent up to and gave notice that you will be leaving on the 2nd of May. He can promise whatever he likes to the new tenants but they and he cannot cross your threshold until the 2nd of May. If he refuses to give you full deposit, a rent refund and not make you decorate then tell him you will return keys on the 2nd of May.

Is your deposit in a deposit protection Scheme?

HarrietSchulenberg · 20/04/2019 15:06

If your tenancy doesn't end till 2nd May then you are the tenant until 2nd May. When you gave notice, did you agree a date to be out?

Moreisnnogedag · 20/04/2019 15:39

I take it your deposit is protected? If not I would 100% pursue that line.

Am interested to see what he comes back with - he must know legally he cannot do this. What aggressive behaviour was there?

Veterinari · 20/04/2019 16:53

Legally your deposit must be in a protected scheme for exactly this reason - he cannot hold you to ransom.
Your tenancy doesn’t end until May 2nd, legally he cannot ask you to leave prior to that date. If he wants you to leave earlier he must accept to return your full deposit and accept the property in its current state. Otherwise you’ll be out on may 2nd.

Rottencooking · 20/04/2019 17:29

What a grabby prick! He shouldn't have told them they could move in while you still have an agreement in place!

Rottencooking · 20/04/2019 17:31

Your deposit needs to be protected and have been protected within 30 days of him receiving it. You also need to have been given prescribed information relating to it e.g. certificate of protection detailing where it's held etc.

If not he can potentially be fined up to 3x the value of the deposit, at the distection of the court, should you wish to pursue that.

Rottencooking · 20/04/2019 17:31

Discretion*

huggybear · 20/04/2019 17:35

And people wonder why landlords get stick on Mumsnet? He's having a laugh OP, good luck.

Mammajay · 20/04/2019 17:39

If he has signed a contract with the new tenants, he is in a very tricky situation. Your tenancy should end midday on the day your ast ends. If he wants you to move out earlier he should agree in writing to refund your deposit in full, pay you for any days rent you have paid and pay for you to move if you have additional costs. Make sure you send him emails confirming anything you agree as you proceed. I am the landlord of one flat and I hate landlords like this.

willitbeokay · 20/04/2019 17:51

What a CF!

Welcometotherock · 20/04/2019 20:52

No your notice runs up to the 2nd May and that's when you have the property to legally. He can't just move tenants in and you lose two weeks rent and I am pretty sure he would be screwed for illegal eviction if he did!

You can actually report this through the council. They usually have a department which deals with private lets. He's done this over the weekend knowing it's bank holiday and you can't contact anyone.

www.rochdale.gov.uk/housing/Pages/problems-with-your-housing.aspx

Original poster
Kirstyhewlett2018 · 22/04/2019 11:28

So I thought I’d give an update!

Never received a reply from the landlord after we gave him the 2 options.
Went over to the house this morning to find the new tenants have now moved in!
We’ve reported him to our local council and will see where we go from there.

OP posts:
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