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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to stay in current house even though landlord has asked us to leave? dilema

501 replies

arieschicke · 19/05/2015 17:13

I am a single parent with 3 dcs. 2 have complex sn.
2 months ago ll served me notice as he is selling the property. I have been trying to secure a private rental with no such luck.
The council have advised that when we leave we will be placed in bnb accommodation, then temporary house or flat share and then after approx 6 months we could be successful in bidding for a council property.
now my ll has sold the house and is exchanging contracts in 2 weeks. has asked me to leave by then. council have advised we will be placed in bnb. shelter have advised me to stay until the court evicts us, which means another 6'8 weeks here but the landlord could lose the sale.
I really can't decide what to do. any advice would be really appreciated.

OP posts:
ollieplimsoles · 19/05/2015 19:27

Terrible situation OP, glad you have been given some good advice on here to think about and I hope you can resolve it without to much disturbance to your family Flowers

Do you have family nearby, or friends that could offer some support in RL? I hate to think of you totally isolated, facing this on your own.

Freestripe · 19/05/2015 19:28

Why isn't the OP looking for other properties herself? Why is she waiting for the council?

(Sorry if this question has been answered)

annielouise · 19/05/2015 19:28

Fergal you are apportioning blame and have suggested is the OP's fault - you wrote I get its a grim situation for you but you're causing other people expense and distress in going down this route.

annielouise · 19/05/2015 19:29

Yes, it has been answered freestripe - read the thread.

annielouise · 19/05/2015 19:32

Fergal, it will be discovered when the LL and OP speak - probably anytime now once she knows what's she's doing and let's him know. It'll be up to him then to sort things with his buyer. Nothing to do with the OP. She's enough on her plate worrying about her own situation. It's just getting to that stage now so no I haven't assumed everyone knows the situation at all. The situation is currently unfolding and people will become aware in due course.

Original poster
arieschicke · 19/05/2015 19:33

Thanks annie and everyone else for the support. I am in tears after a hard day with the dcs. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
annielouise · 19/05/2015 19:37

Eviction is the only way you'll get into the housing system which will be a secure place long term for you and your kids. You deserve and need this as you have kids with sn so don't feel bad. It's stressful but you will come out the other end. Ignore the guilt trippers. It's unfortunate but your back is against the wall and anyone decent, including LL's, will realise that and not blame you. You won't be the first tenant to hold up a sale. They haven't even exchanged yet never mind completed. Speak to Shelter about what to do about informing your LL of what's happening.

CremeEggThief · 19/05/2015 19:38

OP, regardless of legal and moral issues, your children's need to be housed comes first. Everyone else in this situation has a roof over their heads.Thanks Thanks

TwartFaceBeetj · 19/05/2015 19:42

My friend is going through the same op Flowers

She has kept her LL up to date. the LL is fine and is serving an eviction notice. she is also still paying rent right up to the day she leaves. She is packing and sold furniture on ebay, put some in storage,
She is also putting money aside to pay court expenses.

She would love to not be in this position. But private rent prices have gone through the roof round here, she works but needs a housing benefit top up. NO ONE around will take her because of the HB topup.

The council in turn is getting more and more people in this situation. The list that the council holds of LL willing to take DSS has dwindled to almost non.

Quitelikely · 19/05/2015 19:43

Op

All the experiences here are LA dependant. Your LA has advised you that they will help you if you move out on the date your LandLord has requested.

Yes it's to a b&b but even if you wait to be evicted by the court you will still have to go to a B&B so you would just be delaying the inevitable.

I am a LL and I'm in the process of putting the house on the market. the council have advised her to take the notice in once I've served it and then they will help her.

All calls are recorded.

I know it's a scary time but there is no way if your landlord wants his property back to sell that they can accuse you of making yourself intentionally homeless.

Believe me, they have got a legal duty to re-house your children. If they couldn't or wouldn't Social Services have a duty to re house your children and you too if it's in their interests. Which obviously it would be.

GymBum · 19/05/2015 19:53

Grunt it's certainly something I have never previously considered but I will in future.

Kilmuir what kind of LL are you? Op is distressed enough and is considering doing something she clearly doesn't want to do but feels she has no other options. FFS, she isn't anything like the type of tenant you describe! Give the woman a break.

wibbleywee · 19/05/2015 19:54

I genuinely feel sorry for your predicament but as a landlord myself I feel very uncomfortable about the potential problems you could be causing him. You need to go to the council tmrw and clarify every possible avenue then ring him and talk it through, you cant keep him in the dark about all this. Unfortunately its situations like these that put most people off renting to council tenants.

SaucyJack · 19/05/2015 19:57

She isn't a council tenant wibbley

Perhaps you should try and be a bit more concerned about two special needs children being chucked out on the street without anywhere confirmed to go to.

All just moneymoneymoneymoney to you lot isn't it.

annielouise · 19/05/2015 20:01

Exactly SaucyJack - three kids, two kids with sn, probably going to a B&B and people are worrying about a LL not being able to complete for a few weeks longer!

wibbleywee · 19/05/2015 20:03

ooh nice personal attack saucy! I presumed she was a council tenant as she is now looking for them to rehouse her.... fair enough if she isnt, I dont think many people would evict someone with children, regardless of them having special needs, im just saying think of the landlord and get everything clarified from the council before potentially casuing him problems. And 2 months is perfectly adequate notice. And no its not all about money, I actually lose a small amount every month on a property as they cant afford a rent increase at the moment

Branleuse · 19/05/2015 20:08

do what shelter tell you to do. Its all very well feeling sad and bleeding hearts for the landlord, but you need to go about this the right way or you will never get secure housing and this will keep happening.

GymBum · 19/05/2015 20:10

SaucyJack - All just moneymoneymoneymoney to you lot isn't

Seriously? Read my posts...

SaucyJack · 19/05/2015 20:11

Read my post gymbum. Specifically the bit addressing it to someone who isn't you Grin

Horsemadbird · 19/05/2015 20:13

Kilmuir- there are not words to express how much you disgust me. Utter skid mark.

The problem is that the OP can't find another private let because of tenants who behave eaxctly as she is being advised to.

It's a viscious circle.

GymBum · 19/05/2015 20:14

Saucy I incorrectly assumed when you said "you lot", you were tarring us (LL) all with the same brush! Wink Unfortunately, it happens a lot so I can be a little sensitive about it! Grin

wibbleywee · 19/05/2015 20:15

saucy - 'you lot' kind of suggests more than just me, which as I explained you were completely judgmental and incorrect about

stubbornstains · 19/05/2015 20:15

Hmmmm.....given that your housing officer knows all about your DCs' SNs, it could also be that they're giving you extra leeway. Most some of them went into the job once upon a time to try and help people, after all...However, that doesn't mean that I disagree with PPs about getting any offer in writing!

FanFuckingTastic · 19/05/2015 20:18

I wasn't entitled to be housed by the council because I left without it going to court, this was after months of landlord issuing incorrect notice to leave, and being pressured by her as her daughter was moving in. I left on the date finally agreed when she got the third notice right, and because I did that I was intentionally homeless, and my children had to go live with their dad, while I stayed with a friend, who eventually became my partner, who was EA and I felt trapped and like I'd let my children down.

So far it's two and a half years on and I have my own place (adapted for my disabilities) but my children are still with their dad. I would urge you to seek legal advice on your position and then follow their recommendation, whether it inconveniences your landlord or not. Don't end up like me because you didn't know what to do, or felt pressured into doing something that wasn't the best for you and your family.

Newbrummie · 19/05/2015 20:22

I'm on both sides, I rent out my ex's house to try and protect my children's inheritance but will probably be in a B and B myself next week, it's hardly the end of the world is it ? Short term pain for the longer term security of a tenancy with the council.

specialsubject · 19/05/2015 20:22

as a landlord I agree with many others that it is awful. A product of not enough council housing and crazy policies.

also as a landlord; I would not try to sell a property until the tenant had left. I don't think even exchange will proceed until the place is vacant. And I have legal expenses insurance if I need to evict.

if the OPs council has a 'wait to eviction' policy that's what she has to do. Waste of money and time all round but with the insane system that she is going to be 'intentionally homeless' if she leaves voluntarily, she has no choice.

did you hear anything about changing this from any party? Of course not. There are many things about our rental system that could be easily fixed. For instance, saying that when a property is no longer available for rental, the tenant then has no choice but to leave and so is NOT intentionally homeless.