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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell them to fuck off!!

88 replies

Demisemi · 08/11/2018 14:02

We were recently issued with a section 21 from our landlord via letting agents giving us 2 months to leave our home that we have been in for 10 years.

The past two months have put immense pressure on my DH and I to try and find a suitable house for us and our 3 children. We eventually found somewhere by pure luck.

We are moving next week and had a phone call from our letting agents to say the landlord is now removing the property for sale, will be putting the property back up to rent and when would we be available tomorrow and over the weekend to let tenants have a look around.

I looked on the website and they've the letting price up at £90 more than what we currently pay!

AIBU to tell them to fuck off? I am so bloody angry!!!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Demisemi · 08/11/2018 14:26

Who are shelter?

OP posts:
CocoCharlie83 · 08/11/2018 14:27

A section 21 is just one of the risks when renting. They can issue it for any reason which they want.

Put in writing (posted with proof of postage and keep a copy) that you don't give them permission to carry out viewings while you are still a tenant and mention your right to peaceful enjoyment of the property.

I would change the locks and change them back to the original just before vacating.

overagain · 08/11/2018 14:28

Of course, the landlord could also be difficult in returning your deposit.

Not these days. The tenant can claim it directly from the deposit protection scheme and the onus is on the landlord to prove deductions are needed.

InfantaSybilla · 08/11/2018 14:30

You don't have to let any one view the property irrespective of what your lease says (guarantee this will be what the letting agent will respond with). You certainly don't need to be in to welcome the letting agent or to control your dog(!)

I'd explain to the letting agent that you are in the process of packing so the property isn't presentable and there is nothing you can do about it as you have to pack since you've been given notice to leave. if you are willing to let prospective tenants view the place then tell them what dates and times suit you (in the past I said only Saturday mornings 9-12) but you're still going to have boxes etc hanging around.

(I once had a letting agent that was actually expecting me to do the viewings - you could do that and of course mention why you are leaving........)

InfantaSybilla · 08/11/2018 14:31

Sorry, the point about it not being presentable is that it may put tenants off if the place is a mess, which inevitably is a problem when packing up a 3 bed house in order to move!

stayathomer · 08/11/2018 14:31

Really sorry but as a landlord who doesn't want to be a landlord I have to weigh in. For all you know they tried to sell and were told it wouldn't happen, or they seriously need the increase but can't up your rent. Or maybe they're afraid of the rights you have after ten years in terms of their property. Am just playing devils advocate put everyone thinks landlords are big bad evil rich meanies. It's horrible you were asked to move out but we, as renters have had to move six times in ten years and only one of these was by choice but we understood because we've been through the crapper ourselves with tenants. It is a pity especially as you haven't caused them problems, but it's their property

Megan2018 · 08/11/2018 14:31

I'm a LL
It is perfectly reasonable to politely refuse the viewings, you are moving soon so no reason for them to not wait until you have gone.

I asked my last tenants if they minded viewings when they were still in the house (they gave me notice to move rather than the other way around). They said they were happy to - but if they had said no I'd have perfectly understood. They aren't wrong to ask but you aren't wrong to refuse either.

Stand your ground!

overagain · 08/11/2018 14:32

Shelter area charity that deal with housing issues. You don't need to call them. You've found somewhere new and are moving.

You do not need to allow them access for viewings. Email the agency saying you will not be allowing viewings as you are in the process of moving and you have a dog and you do not give permission for them to enter unaccompanied.

Sounds like a legal no fault eviction. It wouldn't be if a) they haven't protected your deposit, haven't given you a gas safety certificate, epc and 'renters rights' booklet or if you do not have an address in England or Wales for the purposes of serving notices on your contract. Even if any of those are the case, you are only delaying the inevitable.

greathat · 08/11/2018 14:34

Be in and tell the prospective tenants that you've not agreed to the viewings...

LanaorAna2 · 08/11/2018 14:37

Don't talk with any of these buggers on the phone, stick to email. Charmingly refuse everything they ask for, and ask for your deposit back asap.

Original poster
Demisemi · 08/11/2018 14:38

For those that are saying why be awkward?

We didn't want to leave - we've been here nearly 10 years. They gave us two months to get out, there was nothing suitable to rent in our area and I even contacted the council in the worry that we would be made homeless. I didn't sleep for nights worrying about what we were going to do.

They then say they are not selling and expect us to be co operative? Why should I? They've caused me and my family a great deal of upset

OP posts:
happypoobum · 08/11/2018 14:41

Agree with PP - just send email saying you absolutely refuse to allow access for viewings and have taken legal advice on the matter.

Then double lock the door or change the locks if you will have to be out.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 08/11/2018 14:42

Northern for so long as the OP is paying rent and is within her contract, it is her house and she is under no obligation to roll over and make life easy for the people evicting her. If the landlord is not happy with this fact, they have no business renting out properties. And no, the landlord cannot just be difficult wrt returning the deposit. Thankfully renters are a little more protected these days with the deposit protection scheme.
OP - take photos of everything in the house before you leave in case of dispute.

I certainly would do nothing to facilitate the ll or estate agent. Fuck them - you owe them exactly the same amount of consideration that they have given you!

Seafoodeatit · 08/11/2018 14:43

You don't need to co-operate but you do you do need to tell them no in writing. We ended up saying you can do viewings between these hours on these days when we moved almost 2 years ago as they were trying arrange viewings non stop but it was us wanting to leave and wanted to still keep them happy, with what they've done I wouldn't feel obliged if I were you! Ours put up the rent every year that we lived there, they put it up by a lot when we left, shocking when you consider the house was slowly falling apart.

SuburbanRhonda · 08/11/2018 14:46

Of course, the landlord could also be difficult in returning your deposit.

That’s not true. Google Deposit Protection Scheme.

fruitshot · 08/11/2018 14:46

But OP, that's the nature of renting I'm afraid.

I can see it would cause a great deal of stress and anxiety and the length of time you have been there, however, the LL doesn't 'owe' you anything in that respect.

They have followed the guidelines on the section 21, you don't know it's because if rent increase, he could've tried to sell, or, can't sell.

I would however politely say no to viewings. They also cannot let themselves in.

SuburbanRhonda · 08/11/2018 14:47

DD was in bed asleep after a late shift the previous night when the landlord unlocked her door to show her room to prospective new tenants Shock

PoisonousSmurf · 08/11/2018 14:48

Why didn't they ask you to pay more rent? Seems weird to kick you out after 10 years Sad

honeysucklejasmine · 08/11/2018 14:49

Cheeky buggers, suggesting they will let themselves in. Absolutely not.

Hissy · 08/11/2018 14:49

inform the LL that he can have all the access he wants WHEN YOU HAVE LEFT and the inventory is done.

not before

Original poster
Demisemi · 08/11/2018 14:50

I know it's the nature of renting. It still doesn't make it any less stressful.

Also, it wasn't that he couldn't sell it as they hadn't even put the property up for sale - i know this for a fact as I checked their windows and online to see what price they were selling for. So that's rubbish what they've told us and is just an excuse

OP posts:
DarlingNikita · 08/11/2018 14:51

It's not legal for them to let themselves in. Write an email (so there's a trail) to them reminding them of this and reiterating that you are not available to facilitate viewings as you're busy with the process of moving.

Feefeetrixabelle · 08/11/2018 14:52

Ask the letting agent for details of what deposit scheme they use. If they don’t I would be taking the landlord to court for not legally protecting your money. I would also reply advising that until you have vacated the premises on ... no one will be entering the property unless emergency repairs need doing.

SpottingTheZebras · 08/11/2018 14:56

I would send them a polite email, so it is in writing, saying that you are unable to accommodate viewings during the remainder of your stay and say all of the swear words you want in your head. It’s not worth risking your reference but at the same time, I wouldn’t allow viewings after that (and I am a landlord).

I hope the move goes well for you.

storm11111 · 08/11/2018 14:56

when the next tenants come in and hopefully trash the property you can smile and say 'karma' Wink