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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've messed everything up. Homeless with 4 children.

205 replies

BowAndArrow · 13/11/2017 06:48

I've been stupid. So so stupid. Please don't feel the need to tell me that. I could not loathe my stupidity more right now.

We've accidentally intentionally made ourselves homeless. We have to move out 4 days after Christmas. At the moment we have no where to go. No where. I have absolutely no idea what to do. The council obviously won't touch us because we put in our notice intentionally. Family isn't an option and no friends. No money to get another property. Am actually terrified. Totally terrified.

AIBU to think there must be a way to sort this out somehow? Please be kind.

OP posts:
StinkPickle · 13/11/2017 08:32

For goodness sake - you're not listening to everyone on this thread.

When you've had a firm NO from the landlord (not the letting agent) then come back and ask for help.

At the moment it's a non-problem as if youre a good tenant the landlord will bite your hand off with happiness.

There is something that doesn't add up and I suspect you're a problem tenant if you're this worried.

minisoksmakehardwork · 13/11/2017 08:32

Stop! Take a deep breath. I have been there with Dh and 4 dc. I am bloody grateful for my wonderful inlaws but now, nearly 8 weeks after we were evicted, we have been in our new home nearly 3 weeks.

I know you say family isn’t an option but do you have a partner, even an ex, who you can approach for help.

First, in writing retract your notice. Then get yourself on the phone to shelter and make an appointment with Your council. If they’re anything like mine, the council take a month to work out if you are intentionally homeless or not then you have to be applying for every eligible property for another month. It buys you time. The council will also speak to your current landlord (note, landlord) in order to try and keep you in your current property. So while you might be classed as intentionally homeless at present, if you get them onside to help you, and the landlord refuses to let you retract, technically you are not intentionally homeless.

I know it’s really hard when you are panicking but you are being good advice, you need to slow down and take it!

SilverSpot · 13/11/2017 08:36

There is something that doesn't add up and I suspect you're a problem tenant if you're this worried

This.

We handed notice in on a flat. The agents just started to market it and DP realises he needed to stay in the flat longer. Asked if we could stay. Landlord was over the moon not to have to find new tenants...

DavetheCat2001 · 13/11/2017 08:42

.

Original poster
BowAndArrow · 13/11/2017 08:44

Ok, I'll be clear. I'am not hiding anything. My old landlord blamed us for things going wrong in the house that he built that we got independant people in to confirm it was how he had built it. It never came to anything as they let it slide. I guess the letting agent believed his story as they're pals so believes we're the type to damage property. That is it. And that's only what I believe. He may just not like us. We're really just a quiet family. Sad but it doesn't give me confidence if even randoms on the internet believe we must be shitty tenants.

OP posts:
WildBluebelles · 13/11/2017 09:02

What people are finding a bit hard to understand is why you have not immediately contacted the letting agent (even if he hates you) and revoked the notice. At least TRY.

Pengggwn · 13/11/2017 09:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LovingLola · 13/11/2017 09:03

How much will the deposit be for a new place?

Pengggwn · 13/11/2017 09:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Taylor22 · 13/11/2017 09:06

The estate agent should be open now.
Instead of pointlessly panicking why not call them right now and revoke the notice and try and work out a solution.

Also your LL details will be on your tenancy agreement.

GerrytheBerry · 13/11/2017 09:07

Just look for another property? I assume there is some way of borrowing the money for deposit or negotiation on it some way? Or as people have said, tell your landlord the situation?

Traffig · 13/11/2017 09:09

.

Rebeccaslicker · 13/11/2017 09:11

Peng - agree that could be the only short term option. However it can sometimes trigger a penalty of double rent - this arises where a tenant has given notice to quit and then fails to vacate. This is a user friendly explanation of both the fact that notices cannot simply be revoked (assuming OP isn't in her fixed term - if she is, notice is void anyway) and the double rent as it's always useful knowledge to have in your back pocket!

www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2014/09/11/this-tenant-has-served-a-notice-to-quit-but-now-wants-to-stay/

GeekyWombat · 13/11/2017 09:16

At the risk of this going a bit cancel the cheque, ring the agent. Now.

sizenines · 13/11/2017 09:18

You can easily find out the landowner's name and address for £3 from the Land Registry website.

WildBluebelles · 13/11/2017 09:20

The landlord's name and address should also be on your original tenancy agreement.

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 13/11/2017 09:25

Even if the letting agent can't stand you, he probably has a legal duty to take instructions from the landlord. I would think a landlord would not want an empty property at Christmas / New Year time as no other tenants are likely to take it on

we both work, we're quiet, we just have 4 kids and a house that we can't keep tidy and so are constantly terrified of losing it If the condition of the house is so bad that you fear it could lead to eviction, I'd suggest you make a huge effort to keep it more tidy. I realise it's difficult with 4 children including one with SN, but you may need a reference from your current letting agent at some point

GColdtimer · 13/11/2017 09:31

For goodness sake OP you need to contact your landlord if the letting agent says no. Stop hand wringing and do what everyone on this thread has suggested. Loads of great advice here and you don’t seem to be acknowledging it.

Look through this thread and write down an action plan. It will make you feel loads better.

Nelly1727 · 13/11/2017 09:31

Try not to panic and retract your notice. There is some great advice on here. Let us know how you get on.

ShiftyMcGifty · 13/11/2017 09:32

The letting agency gets a fee for finding new tenants - usually a month of rent - off the landlord. Of course the agency will want to find new tenants - it's money for them. The landlord won't want new tenants as that means he has to pay out more money.

The agency doesn't decide. The landlord does. His contact details must be on your tenancy agreement and if they are not, the agency must give them to you by law. Speak to him directly.

That said, I think you've made it clear that you will want to move soon and the landlord may just decide it's better to try to find a tenant now, whole lots of families are applying for school places, than in January.

sooperdooper · 13/11/2017 09:39

The letting agents will be open now, ring them, revoke the notice and then put it in writing to them as well - if they give you any grief say you want your message passed to the landlord and for them to make the final decision

You haven't mentioned anyone coming to view the property so I assume they can't have found new tenants yet - they may ask you to sign a new contract and pay any associated fees with that

Stop panicking and do something practical!

Justanothernameonthepage · 13/11/2017 09:46

Action list:

  1. decide if you'd rather stay where you are for 6 more months or the new place.
  2. message letting agent, requesting that they either inform the landlord that you'd prefer to extend for 6 months after reconsideration or requesting an extra month
  3. find out new LL details (through land registry or even driving by if he's having work done and leaving your details with foreman or posting a letter through letterbox with your contact details).
  4. inform exs mum (sounds as though he is living with her) that there is the possibility he'll be having all the DC for a couple of weeks since you may be between houses and obviously she wouldn't want her DC to be living in a car parked outside her house over Christmas.
  5. talk to your school/local charities/church/health advisor etc. Find out if there is any advice or practical help they can offer.
  6. work out what can be sold/begged/borrowed to get money in case you have to book into somewhere.
  7. talk to an advisor about money and work out a way to start saving in case of future issues-even if it means living off lentils and onions for the majority of the time.
  8. swallow any remaining pride and ask friends and family for help. Even if it's for somewhere for even one of the kids to stay if needed as an emergency.
Justanothernameonthepage · 13/11/2017 09:48

And remember the letting agent works for the LL so if you really are that nervous, or suspect that he hasn't passed on the request, check original contract for the LL and ask directly using the details on there.

worridmum · 13/11/2017 09:52

just to keep in mind if you leave your children with you EX for a couple of weeks you WILL need to pay child maintenance for that period to him...

Myheartbelongsto · 13/11/2017 09:53

I hope the call went well op.

Some spikey comments here!

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