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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Annoyed that my landlord wants to sell at Christmas

103 replies

VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 13:01

We got served our section 21 eviction notice last week (totally out of the blue, we were settled and happy) and the house is going on the market in December (who does that?!). They've kindly said we can stay in the house until it sells, but AIBU to be really annoyed they can't hang on until after Christmas and allow us to enjoy the time in peace with our young family ( 7 and 18 months) now we'll probably have to put up with strangers wandering around opening cupboards etc with presents in. I don't even feel like decorating to be honest. I know they want to sell and we're just renting but I just feel like they should have been a bit more compassionate.

OP posts:
Original poster
VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 13:38

Thanks all, I'm looking everyday, there is just nothing at all and we'll have to try and find another £1000 for all the costs included. We are private renters in professional jobs, I doubt anyone would take any pity on us at the council. I'd never let it get to the point of eviction so that's not an option, we are really good tenants and I've owned two houses myself so i'd never screw anyone over like that. I just think the timing is really rubbish, but as you've said I just need to suck it up and get on with it!

OP posts:
Original poster
VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 13:41

Jesus, some people need to calm down. Karma? have you read my posts??? not once have a mentioned staying illegally or making life difficult for my landlord. The only thing I've talked about not liking is viewing over christmas and the possibility of moving in December. Chill out!

OP posts:
Travis1 · 12/09/2017 13:44

I think if you are being reasonable and allowing viewings and going to stay until they sell then perhaps mention you'd like a 2 - 3 week hiatus over the festive period with no viewings? In fairness I wouldn't expect you to have many at that point anyway but that lets you get on with celebrating and not worrying about people. Plus people wouldn't get a true feel of the house with the Christmas decs up!

Oldraver · 12/09/2017 13:44

QWERTY...Tell that to the council...they wont help anyone under being homeless until they have been evicted by bailiffs. Its their advice, well rules.

Original poster
VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 13:45

Thank you Fizzygreenwater. Thats how I feel about the whole thing

OP posts:
Theresnonamesleft · 12/09/2017 13:46

If the op really wanted to be awkward unless houses sell very quickly, she could leave asap. This will be very awkward for the ll as she wants her kitchen but won't have a tenant whilst the house is on the market.

If the op cannot afford the fees of moving to another property she had no choice but to wait until the bailiffs are at the door. Without this they will be homeless. Thousands have no option other than go down this route.

Ecureuil · 12/09/2017 13:46

This happened to us last year. Rather than hang around we found somewhere else to go (private renting) and moved out at the end of the two month notice period.
They then couldn't sell and the property was empty for 6 months before they gave up and put it back up for rent. They're now renting it out again for less money than we paid them in rent.

Mummyoflittledragon · 12/09/2017 13:49

Landlady here. I've had tenants quit just before Christmas. The rental market is often pretty much dead between mid December and mid January both for tenants and therefore available properties, I imagine. It's not likely the property will sell and complete in that time frame. However, just be aware of the situation as you may find it very difficult to find somewhere during that time period.

Flipfloo78 · 12/09/2017 13:49

I agree it's not the best time to be asked to move but they are doing everything legally by serving a section 21 notice and giving an adequate notice period. I would suggest looking now and not waiting.
Also, in regard to the deposit. It does not have to be on an A4 piece of paper. As long as you have proof of the deposit via email etc then it is above board. Another thing, whilst it isn't the nicest thing, there are no laws against evicting people in December. There seems to be a lot of misinformation so it's worth contacting shelter. Wishing you the best. X

5rivers7hills · 12/09/2017 13:50

All these suggestions baout wiating for the court to evict her, not allow viewings WHY would you suggest that to someone? She doesn't need the council to house her (which is when you are advised to wait for eviction so you aren't intentionally homeless).

If you want another private rental just leave at the end of your notice period.

MusicToMyEars800 · 12/09/2017 13:51

OP I was in this Situation last year, We were given 2 months notice as the LL wanted to sell, we quickly found somewhere else and were out before the 2 months were up. Good luck, I hope you find somewhere soon! It's a rubbish time to be trying to find somewhere else to live.

Ecureuil The same thing happened with our old house, They couldn't sell it, even after doing it up, so put it back on to rent but charged £45 more per month than when we were there Grin

Original poster
VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 13:51

I suppose the backstory would help, we moved there with a plan to settle for a few years to save for our "forever home". We've moved 3 times in 4 years, they assured us it was a long term home and they were first time landlords. We've lived there 15 months and now they want to sell. So I'm just a bit bitter they've changed their minds. The stress of moving again is just getting to me.

OP posts:
namechangefordummies · 12/09/2017 13:52

Hi OP - how long is your tenancy, please? And when does the current period end. That's crucial here...

Hillingdon · 12/09/2017 13:53

Shirty. I cannot believe some of the advice too. Stay until you are chucked out? Really?

What about telling them to wreck the place when they leave?

Xmas is a bummer though but it is only Sept so start looking now and settle in well before Xmas in your new place.

TeeBee · 12/09/2017 13:54

The timing is not rubbish though...he has given you four months to move out!

Alpacaandgo · 12/09/2017 13:54

Same thing happened to us a few years ago. landlord decided to sell the house and the 2 months notice fell on the 22nd December. We had 4 children then and christmas is not the best time to move even without kids. The agent spoke with the LL and said that as it was christmas and an awkward time to move, we could stay until 2nd January. Cos obviously thats loads better! We ended up negotiating and staying until the end of January. It was like my LL lived in a totally seperate universe!

WombattingFree · 12/09/2017 13:55

Can I ask... for those that know... our contract states notice period is 1 month for termination from either party. Does that invalidate the 2month thing on an AST? We have a contract dating from 2015 so was this a thing then?

Hont1986 · 12/09/2017 13:55

They aren't kicking you out at Christmas. They're kicking you out in November. And really they aren't even kicking you out, they've just asked you to leave and are giving you 3 months notice.

alltouchedout · 12/09/2017 13:56

These threads are always an eye opener.

*I can't believe the advice on here.

LAndlords are persecuted for being arseholes when you are basically being told to stay put until the bailiffs arrive.

If anyone has a shred of decency, they leave when the contract they signed says they should.

YABU and if you go out of your way to make life difficult, I would have no sympathy if you struggle to find somewhere to live in the future. Karma's a bitch.*

I can't believe you are so lacking in understanding of the reality for many people. It's not about decency so much as a lack of options. OP doesn't seem to be in the position where she has no other way to find a home and is at the mercy of an LA who most certainly will refuse to help her unless she stays put until the bailiffs come- but many others are.

Hillingdon · 12/09/2017 13:58

People fib all the time around house renting/buying and selling.

A relative (LL) lied and sneaked in a clause for a 2 year rental stating a break half way through. The renter was desperate for 2 years and longer which is why they took the house. After 1 year relative put the house on the market (just like she was planning to do all along!)

Anyone recognise these..

'I will move to rented to enable you to move in'

'We haven't had any trouble with neighbours'

'It wont take us long to find a new house now you have made an offer on ours'

Original poster
VitriolicMuse · 12/09/2017 14:00

They've waited until our tenancy ends which is this month and we've just been served our 2 month notice. So all totally above board. The law is being followed, I'm just concerned where it leaves us in December when we are just there at their convience to pay the mortgage but we don't have a tenancy agreement and we've served our notice. We're not like something off Shameless, we are just a normal working family and I just want to make sure I do the right thing for my family. I don't want to be lulled into a false sense of security that they've said we can stay until it sells and then be turfed out at their whim thats all. I'm not about causing grief for people.

OP posts:
Trollspoopglitter · 12/09/2017 14:00

The advice on here is ridiculous. Op, you know how difficult buying/selling is in your neighbourhood. Surely you can guess how quickly the place will sell, which in turn will determine when you will need to move?

Would a house going on sale half way through sept exchange before xmas?

cestlavielife · 12/09/2017 14:01

either get agreement from landlord that you stay til January and will not move before then so you stay for Christmas and then look for a new rental

or look now and move and get settled by November.

to me that would be best.

borrow the money for deposit - as soon as you get it back from current landlord you can pay it back.

MsWanaBanana · 12/09/2017 14:03

shirtyQwerty Totally agree with you. It's shitty but it he isn't really chucking you out around Xmas is he? He's given you 2 months notice to leave in November and is being nice by saying that you can stay for longer provided the house isn't sold. It's up to you if you then decide to stay on as it could potentially be around xmas by the time the house sells. Or, you can do the right thing and leave on the official date you should be. Can't believe people advising you to stay until bailiffs come. Your poor landlord how is that fair on him?

safariboot · 12/09/2017 14:03

I see a silver lining in this cloud - you've been told well before Christmas and can start making sure you have the money for deposit on a new rental and moving your stuff. Sure a penny-pinching Christmas will suck, but not as badly as if you had already spent the money and literally couldn't afford to move.