..to be worried about our housing situation?

[Shedsonfire]

NC'd

So we currently rent our house off a married couple. It isn't through an agent but we do have a very flexible contract.
The couple have now split up and from what the husband has told me it's very messy (he's now drinking heavily daily, he's mentioned domestic violence, an affair and a lot of money problems).
So we pay our rent monthly and the money goes into the wife's account. Last week the husband told me that the mortgage on our property is an interest only and that the wife is swanning the money away on trips abroad (obviously I have no idea how much of this is true) She has not been in contact since the break up, he is in contact frequently.
From what he has told me she wants to take on the house but he doesn't want that and they are likely to be going to court to split assets.

He has assured me that we have nothing to worry about but my gut is telling me to jump ship. The problem is that we pay an incredible amount in rent (in line with the market) and have no savings for agency fees should we have to move.
I have put us on the local housing list but we are understandably on the lowest band and there is a major housing shortage in the area.
So lovely mumsnetters what you you do in our situation?/

I would hold tight for now but scrimp and save so that if it becomes necessary you can move. It does sound a bit precarious!

We are in a not too dissimilar situation. Our LL is lovely and we have an agreement direct through him no agents etc. Plan was to rent long term then buy from him but his circs has changed (again messy divorce) and he's now hinting towards having to put the house on the market the minute we give notice. He's not making any profit and we feel for him to be honest.
I'm looking at saving a moving fund over the next few months so we can give notice and move for another long term let and so he can move on with his life. So sad to let the place go but I think it's best all round. Lots of agents seem to be offering zero deposit schemes at the moment but no idea what it actually entails.

I agree with the previous poster- scrimp and save what you can for a deposit and first months rent.

Have a look at the Shelter website to find out your rights as a tennant just in case things go pear shaped.

Usually landlords need to give 2 months notice to tennants if they want to evict them.

Start saving hard. If the rent is a good deal do you have other things you could economise on. Will you need to downsize/change area in order to afford to move?

Keep an eye on openrent. You rent directly from the landlord using that so reference fees are very low and there are no other costs to pay besides a deposit.

I really wish saving money was an option, but to be honest if we could save money it would be going on a deposit to buy a house. But the is no wiggle room.
Downsizing isn't an option, were we live a two bed or a three bed would be the same price, the cheaper area would be 20 miles away which would mean two commutes a day and money on fuel for school runs so wouldn't actually be saving any money.
To be honest were unable really shitty situation if this house goes tits up but then I suppose we would be homeless so would be bumped up on the housing list.
Will look on open rent, haven't heard of them before so thank you for that

Open rent is a no go, there's no one on it in our area

A rent deposit is usually only one and a half month's rent so nowhere near what you would need for a deposit to buy.

The next time the landlord (man) starts to tell you all his personal stuff stop him. It matters not what the wife is spending the rent on if the interest is being covered it is between them.

What type of tenancy do you have ? If it is an AST then they will have to give you 2 months' notice (s21) and you will be able to show this to the council. some councils will rehouse you on these some will wait for you to be actually evicted.

My point about the house deposit was that if we could save then we would.
The tenancy agreement is until October and the rolling on forward

I would hold out. this could be a blessing in disguise. the council will rehouse if they kick You out. cheaper rent which would mean you could start saving possably.

I know it's stressful, I had it happen to me, my landlord wasn't paying the mortgage I had to wait till I had something in writing saying I was being evicted and why.

I would possably starting de cluttering and start packing things you don't use every day just incase, you'll be more prepared and feel some what in control.

Thank you cmlover I hate hate hate private renting, it never feels secure we've had three landlords up and sell on us now and each time it has cost us over £200 in agency fees and credit checks. This time seemed so different. It was their pension and it wasn't their only property. But here I am again realising that we will never have a house to call home.
The stupid thing is that a mortgage on a house like this would be £300 a month cheaper for us

the council will rehouse if they kick You out. cheaper rent which would mean you could start saving possably.

This is very region dependent. Some councils had little to no stock for families, so those who present as homeless (and this is usually only after the LL has had to take them to court to evict them, meaning their credit might then be fucked in the process) are stuck for very long periods in B&Bs or hostels of the council's choosing, take it or leave it, it may be out of the area and then offered another private let.

The good ol' days of family council housing in a nice area with a tenancy for life are long gone in many areas.