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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Soon to be homeless

29 replies

Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 15:05

I'm hoping someone has been in a similar situation....

I moved into my current home (flat above a commercial premises) 9 weeks ago, and I have just found out my landlord is illegally subletting to me. I am now being evicted by the person who actually owns the property, also my "landlord" is being evicted from the commercial property I only found out 2 weeks ago as he had been taking my mail which was from the court to inform me that all of this was happening. I only heard about it when a solicitor turned up at my door with court papers.

So I am now going to be homeless with my 2 daughters. I have put all of the relevant forms etc into my local council, does anyone know how long it will take for them to contact me about this situation?
I suffer from horrendous panic/anxiety attacks at the best of times so as you can imagine they're kicking off more now with all of this going on 😕

OP posts:
Averyimportantperson · 05/11/2018 16:34

Contact shelter if you haven't already done so. They will be able to advise you.

Also if you can the details of the solicitors acting in the eviction they should be able to give you timescales but they cannot give you advice.

LakieLady · 05/11/2018 17:03

Ring the council and ask for an appointment with a homelessness officer.

When you go and see them, take all the paperwork with you, proof of your income, including any benefits you get, children's birth certificates and proof of ID. Also take your tenancy agreement.

The homelessness officer will tell you what next steps you should take, and what help they can offer you.

I'm really sorry you're going through all this. I work with people at risk of homelessness, and I know how stressful it is.

Original poster
Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 17:39

Thanks LakieLady, I have already handed all of my paper work last week but no one has contacted me. I was hoping someone could shed some light on how long the wait could be, I have spoke to my local council and they've just said I have to wait for a advisor to ring me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 17:42

They've gave me until the 21st of this month to be out, basically my tenancy agreement might as well be a birth certificate for a unicorn...

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 05/11/2018 17:42

The council was have to rehouse you as you are not intentially homeless. You need to stay until the day the bakuffs come to evict you. Then go to the council office with as much of your belongings as possible . Council should pay for storage for the rest.
Am so sorry , must be so stressful.

MyDcAreMarvel · 05/11/2018 17:42

*baliffs

MyDcAreMarvel · 05/11/2018 17:43

Do not leave before the 21st or before baliffs come !

dontalltalkatonce · 05/11/2018 17:55

Don't leave until you're kicked out. Uggh. This happens so often. You are not alone.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 05/11/2018 18:02

I'm no expert but As thiz is not what theyd call 'your fault or making ypur self intentionally homless'
I'd very much imagine that the council will be obliged to house you asap and put you up in a hotel until they find somewhere suitable.
However that's not the point is it. I suppose you were happy in the home you were living in

Soubriquet · 05/11/2018 18:20

As horrible as it is, do not leave your home.

Wait until you have high court officers at your door to serve official papers

That way, you have the relevant paperwork for the council to emergency house you

If you leave before that, your council may deem you making yourself homeless. Something that has happened to me before

Solopower1 · 05/11/2018 18:26

How awful for you! Don't have any advice but hope that what the others have said helps you.

I hope you get rehoused somewhere nice, and not too far from work/schools etc.

What rotten luck.

MeteorMedow · 05/11/2018 18:28

Obviously this is an awful situation you didn’t ask for - but could you not find alternative accommodation?

Most renters get 1- 3 months notice if they need to leave - that’s what I got. Instead of paying your rent this month (if you haven’t already) put it towards a new place. Look at rentals that need a bit of tlc or are in a less desirable area. Yes it’s tight but not unmanageable.

Renting really isn’t stable - that’s a pretty well accepted fact so you kinda need a plan B - especially with children relying on you.

sobeyondthehills · 05/11/2018 18:29

The law has changed regarding bailiefs I believed. We were in a slightly different position and had received our notice to quit, so it was all above board from the landlord side, we didn't find till the week before that they would be housing us in emergency accomadation, and were only shown the property on the day we had to leave, so be prepared for a quick turnaround.

If you have mental health problems, make sure you mention that, because of my mental health problems we were not placed in a B&B but in a self contained unit. Also be aware that they might place you in a one bedroom place and depending where you are, you might be there a while.

Also with regards to storage, were were told that we would have to pay our own, it was 3 months up front. I would look around for private lets as well and see if the council can give you a hand with the deposit and first month rent

CrystalMethHog · 05/11/2018 18:37

You don't have to wait until the day of eviction, you can present at the council 52 days before (think it's 52 but might be wrong). Legislation changed this year.

Original poster
Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 18:38

Thanks everyone 🤗 I'm looking for alternative accommodation I was just hoping I would get some sort of help from the council. I am on my own with 2 girls so money is extra tight, also really nervous about going private again with everything that's happened although I know I can't tar everyone with the same brush.

Hopefully the council will point me in the right direction 🤞🏻

OP posts:
sobeyondthehills · 05/11/2018 19:39

Just as a quick thing, would it be worth trying to have a chat with the landlord and seeing if he would let you stay?

missymayhemsmum · 05/11/2018 19:40

Did you pay a deposit? any chance of getting it back?

Original poster
Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 20:13

He doesn't own the property, he rents it from someone and his lease states he isn't allowed to sub let the flat but he is, so I can't stay here. I've only been here 9 weeks and have only just found out that it is being repossessed, I only found out because someone from the courts sat outside of the property until I came back and handed me the court papers. I paid a deposit but I have no chance of getting that back.

OP posts:
MrsGarethSouthgate · 05/11/2018 20:25

I think Sobeyondthehills means the actual owner of the flat, whether it's worth seeing if he will rent to you instead of looking for a new tenant?

MrsGarethSouthgate · 05/11/2018 20:26

I take it your deposit isn't in a protected scheme?

Villanellesproudmum · 05/11/2018 20:31

Does the flat have an independent entrance if so do do speak with the owner (not the flaky landlord) you should have their details on the Court papers, they may let you stay on a separate agreement.

Original poster
Unicornfloof · 05/11/2018 21:11

No I don't think it is, the owner won't let me stay on as its let out as a whole unit (shop and flat) as I've asked the solicitors already. I've not got a leg to stand on from a legal point of view.

OP posts:
Chocolate50 · 05/11/2018 21:24

you need to ring SHELTER they are brilliant and will help, because you have children the council have a legal duty to house you initially temporarily whilst you wait to be housed,

mumsastudent · 05/11/2018 21:26

dont move out until you have talked to the council at least. I am afraid you don't have as many rights as a "proper tenant" not your fault - you were conned. I think you should definitely contact shelter as well. This whole business with councils making people stay until the last minute waiting for the bailiffs is totally wrong for both landlord & tenant. The court has given formal legal notice with a strict timeframe & councils should take that on board & work with that so people are forced to sit tight & wait for the knock on the door.

sobeyondthehills · 05/11/2018 22:40

I think Sobeyondthehills means the actual owner of the flat, whether it's worth seeing if he will rent to you instead of looking for a new tenant?

Yes this is what I meant

This whole business with councils making people stay until the last minute waiting for the bailiffs is totally wrong for both landlord & tenant. The court has given formal legal notice with a strict timeframe & councils should take that on board & work with that so people are forced to sit tight & wait for the knock on the door.

This is no longer true

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