Landlord asked me to leave, what compensation to ask for?

[Whooo]

I’m in my 20s and moved to London 5 years ago for work - renting the same apartment since.

My landlord wants to sell the apartment and issued an invalid Section 21 notice. I don’t believe this notice is valid as my deposit isn’t protected, so I mentioned it to my landlord in confusion. I added that I am happy to negotiate as ultimately I don’t want housing stress over my head.

They basically came back with a response to say, they really want vacant possession asap and are really wanting to avoid court. they have asked me if I’m willing to move out this month and essentially help them out so they can sell the property immediately as they need the money from the sale. As a starting offer they have said they will immediately refund the deposit.

I’m willing to engage with this but I am also thinking this isn’t enough. What would you ask for to facilitate this?

• for example, Royal Mail redirection costs
• I work fully from home, and to get my internet switched over will lead to me not having service for 3 days which will impact on my ability to work.
• Costs of moving my furniture/belongings and having to potentially put into storage as most places come furnished

just wanted to get feedback on if there is anything else I have missed, as it’s a stressful situation

I don't think there is any reason to get nasty op. I wasn't being.

He’s selling the place because he’s short of money; he doesn’t have your deposit or any further money to pay you for compensation. He is going to offer you the moon on a stick and then he’s not going to pay up. I would just leave.

I'd want a reference and i'd ask for 4 x deposit and then settle for 3.

Orrrrrr he can drag it out go through that long process of evicting and then pay you 3x anyway as the deposit wasnt protected.
also explain its going to be tricky for you at short notice (irrespective of the truth/ your next accommodation).

I wouldnt be farting around asking for £50 to get your post redirected.

Also...someone with 2 properties has assets they can leverage irrespective of "needing money". If he wants you out early he cam pay.
I say that as someone who gave tenants €2k to vacate early as it was convenient/ useful to me.

3 months rent would be my starting point

Aren’t you a charmer!

If he returns your deposit and you accept it he can reissue section 21 (assuming everything else is correct: two months' notice, not before end of AST, gas cert, eicr, epc and how to rent guides given at inception of AST and updated as and when). 3 x your deposit is correct. If you're happy to go, I'd start with that and see how he wears it...

No one has been nasty. I am not sure why you are playing the victim. You gave factually incorrect advice - section 21 notices have nothing to do with my credit report as I am not in debt. The purpose of your contributions seems to be spreading misinformation. You can do that elsewhere.

I agree with this. I think you should be able to get your deposit multiple back, because he should have protected it (and IIRC this is a fairly simple process).

But I think he will offer all sorts then take refuge in the fact that a small claims court will find things like you asking for mail redirecting rather weird.

I am unclear how you can still be in a fixed term if you’ve been there 5 years.
If your landlord has been giving you new fixed term agreements over this time the deposit situation is even worse for him.

Assuming, however, that you just want a reasonable sum to cover your costs and inconvenience I would suggest that a payment of at least twice the sum of your deposit. Obviously in addition to the return of your actual deposit, assuming no retention is due for damage, etc. This assumes that your deposit is slightly higher than your monthly rent. If not I’d suggest 2 months rent as long as this amply covers your expenses.

I would also want to negotiate a flexible leaving date to suit your new rental and of course a refund of rent paid for any advance period.

You could of course instead take them to court for compensation for between 1 and 3 times the sum of your deposit due to their failure to protect it, but that would take time and might not be a higher amount.

From the changes in May the landlord wishing to sell is a ground for ending the tenancy, but of course all legal obligations still need to be complied with by the landlord. I am not sure how the deposit affects this.

You did come across quite badly TBH.

Its not up to the OP to check that the Landlord is following the law.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/if-your-landlord-doesnt-protect-your-deposit

And no wonder landlords are selling up in their droves!

Why would a mail redirection be seen as weird? It is not an intentional move but one I am merely attempting to facilitate to meet his demands, and I won’t be returning so it’s a permanent move. I can’t see why 3/6 months would be “weird” under the circumstances of a rushed and pressured move.

How has the landlord been throughout the tenancy? If they've been decent, I'd ask for maybe double because of the inconvenience. But if they've been an arse, start high and see where you get. I am presuming you've been a good tenant and the landlord isn't acting now because they see trouble ahead after May.

What, because they are expected to comply with basic laws such as deposit protection?

I can't see the point of the mail redirect, it is minor.

@WhoooYou’re being ridiculously argumentative! Freesiaeaser said nothing whatsoever antagonistic. Calm the f down!

If they haven’t protected deposit- then ask for double deposit plus a reference in advance

Definitely not being a CF, the LL has very much broken the law by not protecting her deposit. As a minimum I would be looking for him to cover these costs PLUS double the deposit back, in return for not taking him to court for potentially 3 times the deposit.

PS - I work for one of the accreditation schemes for landlords and letting agents

I’m glad I’m no longer a landlord.

I personally know several landlords and each of them are selling their properties. It’s just too onerous and is about to get a whole lot worse.

Because it's the sort of thing you'd normally sort out for yourself.

I think getting into any kind of private negotiation is a bad idea. You would risk someone thinking you were just being greedy/out to fleece him, and you'd probably also end up with less than if you just took the straightforward route and got the deposit penalty money.

It's like when someone hits your car. Yes, they are at fault, but if you don't go through insurance it can get very, very messy very quickly, unless you already know you're both decent, honest people. And it sounds as if all you know about your LL is that they are the kind of person who doesn't protect a deposit, even though every idiot knows you're legally obliged to. So I wouldn't trust the LL not to mess you around.

Landlord has broken the law and you're being described as a CF. Crazy.

Deposit protection is just about the basics of landlord law. Otherwise your funds might be lost completely, and also allows a third party to step in with any deposit deductions disputes (as it should be. It stops bad actors on both sides). Doesn't make a difference if they protect it now. If you took him to court you will probably get awarded multiple x your deposit amount.

You could ask for double your deposit back to avoid court. If you went to court you would probably get more than that

To be honest I’m coming around to this viewpoint.

would it be better if I awaited the section 21 court claim to file a counterclaim? Or just claim
now?

That I don't know - it's a long time since I did it - so definitely find out.

Good luck!