Friend - Rent - She wants me out!

[PuffandStuff]

My friend was given an HA flat a few years ago - she has since moved in with her husband to a beautiful (mortgaged) home and I have been renting her flat. I recently lost my job but because its a HA flat I can't claim HB - She begged me to move in against my better judgement as she wanted someone she could trust in it (told her she needs to give it back but she says it her flat!)

I have been working self employed and have some money coming in soon but at the moment I'm in arrears with my rent - which when it comes through I can settle up with her and find another flat - she is fuming and wants me out - I am penniless at the moment and have nowhere to go - if she could wait 2 more weeks I can pay her all that I owe her - she won't wait - I'm one month in arrears at the moment.

I'm refusing to budge - she has threatened to come and throw all my stuff out! We have been friends for 20 years and I can't understand why she is being like this - AIBU?

[BinarySolo]

You may not have behaved illegally but you have behaved immorally. You've effectively queue jumped and deprived someone of a ha house who was in need before you. I doubt you would be eligible if you are in the process of seeking your house but I suspect you already know that.

You're as bad as your 'friend' and you should both be ashamed.

[JakeBullet]

Sorry but no sympathy at all. Ypu shouldn't be there and she is illegally profitting from a property which someone will be desperate for.

I actively hope this goes tits up for both of you

[lunar1]

I really wouldn't leave the house empty after the message you just sent. Can anyone stay in wih the keys in the lock while you work?

[ophelia275]

What a bloody cheek your friend has. She is basically committing a crime (I think subletting is now a criminal offence). The money you have been paying her in rent is not hers as she has no right to sublet a social housing property and she is probably charging you much more than the actual subsidised rent. I would report her to the HA and possibly the council as god knows what else she is claiming fraudulently.

[shouldistayorshouldagonooooooo]

I can't understand the posters that are just blaming the 'friend' .

Hostels are full of split up family's desperate for homes and op and her friend have been selfish and greedy. Op following posts reinforce this.

Karma is a bitch.

[Ezio]

Should I agree with that.

When pregnant with DD, was told it could take 6 years to be homed.

I privately rent now.

[Chippednailvarnish]

So you have aided someone in avoiding tax?

I agree with should , there are families who are in hostels because of people like you and your friend wanting to keep hold of a lovely flat.

[kali110]

Think you are both being unreasonable

[fromparistoberlin]

I agree with those that say if she chucks out out, you will shop her too.

I think she is disgusting though, but I dont actually think you have any choice. she is a bitch however

[JakeBullet]

Subletting IS now a criminal offence....maybe remind her of that OP.

You need to ring Shelter and then dob her in to the housing association who WILL have thousands of people waiting for housing ....some in hostels with children while she profits from her illegal subletting.

[Harryhairypig]

Shop her to the HA, give them a statement that you have been renting it from her, she will lose the flat which she should as she doesn't need it.

[BrokenSunglasses]

Why should the friend be the only one to get in trouble for this?

Morally, although maybe not legally, you are both equally at fault, and you both deserve to be in the shit.

It's not ok to sublet, it's not ok to be late with rent, and it's not ok to move into a property you have no right to which you know you are obtaining illegally.

[mummymeister]

Sorry OP but have to agree with the majority. it is an offence to sub let. you knew when you took the property on that it was sub let from a HA and that's why you knew there wasn't going to be a rental agreement with her. are you paying the exact amount in rent or is she creaming a bit off? if you call the police the first thing they will do is tell the landlord as it is a dispute. put an end to the lies and deceit. Monday morning ring the HA up tell them the full story truthfully. see if they will let you stay a couple of weeks or so until you sort yourself out and move on. if you just move out she will illegally move someone else in which is not fair on all those on the waiting list. do the right thing OP.

[foslady]

So you want to change the locks of a property that you have no legal right to be in........?

[SeaSickSal]

Blackmail. Tell her you'll shop her unless she stays. When you're a bit more financially stable move out and shop her anyway.

She won't be taken away from her children, she'll probably just lose the flat, she won't be prosecuted, I don't think you can actually be prosecuted for subletting (yet). She will just lose the income and someone who deserves it will get the house.

I don't know why you're quibbling, she's no friend of yours, she's making you homeless, she doesn't give a shit about you.

She can't claim HB because the HB people will realize she is in flat which is not let to her and presumably the friend has not given her a rental agreement to keep it secret.

[SeaSickSal]

Sorry, I am wrong, it has been an offence since earlier this year.

[ZolaBuddleia]

Isn't it rather ironic that your landlady wanted to rent to someone she could trust, rather than on the open market, and then you've defaulted on the rent? High speed karma, really, isn't it?

[BeckAndCall]

I can't believe those who are recommending changing the locks!

So this is a property you don't own, you have no legal right to be in, which your friend is subletting illegally and you want to change the locks? Does the expression 'criminal damage' not mean anything to you?

I'd say its unlikely that the HA will want to take any action against you if you go quietly but if you damage the property ( by changing the locks) then they might take a much dimmer view.

[BrokenSunglasses]

SeaSick, it doesn't look like either of them give a shit about each other. The friend is no worse in that than the OP is. OP could have avoided this by paying her rent on time.

Friends don't evict each other, but nor do they withhold money owed.

[Tuppenceinred]

This thread demonstrates the dangers in acting on advice from internet forums.

[Lj8893]

Personally I think you deserve anything you get. You and your friend.

My mum and myself were in a council house, (I was at uni at the time) when my mum decided to move in with her partner she asked to transfer the tenancy to me. They said no and I had to find somewhere else to live. Not a problem.
Fast forward just over a year and I'm now pregnant, and me and my partner are living in a room. God knows how long it will be before we are housed.

People like you anger me.

[Distrustinggirlnow]

Hmm I'm not sure about changing the locks either ......

I think if you needed new locks you would ring the HA and they would send someone round.

I'm guessing she thinks that you've decided not to pay any rent and she's got arsy about it. She may think that it will be you that gets into trouble from the HA not her, so is using the throwing you out thing as leverage, not realising it can backfire on her.

You have some good advice up thread. I'm with the, ask her to wait two weeks, camp. But if she won't then speak to the HA.

either way, get out as soon as you can. There are plenty of other nice flats about.

Oh, and make sure she's off your Christmas Card list. She's no friend of yours