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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Landlord wants us to move out

100 replies

AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 21:39

Sorry, posted here for traffic. Not sure where to post. IA (probably) BU for that alone.

They have today served us with a no-fault notice that they require us to vacate the property. It looks like we've got to be out 5 weeks before Christmas. We've lived in this house over a decade.

I've made an appearance with the council emergency housing/homeless adviser. Unfortunately we've not got a cat in hell's chance of getting another private rental. I'm disabled & not able to work, DH works p/t, & retraining to try to improve his earning prospects. Employment locally is difficult. We have basically no savings. 1 DD, in primary school.

Anything else I /we can or need to do at the moment? Apart from preliminary packing...Sad

OP posts:
ReanimatedSGB · 13/09/2019 22:31

We were almost evicted back in the spring. Your council should have a Homelessness Prevention officer: make an appointment to see that person. I know you say it's a 'no fault' eviction but do you know why they want you to leave? Might it be possible to get them to change their minds?

Original poster
AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 22:34

Not had the council appointment yet. I don't really know what I should ask when I go.

Our copy of the tenancy agreement says the deposit is protected but I've never been able to find any proof. I don't think we were given a copy of any record for the scheme it's held in.

OP posts:
Original poster
AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 22:35

@ReanimatedSGB - they sent someone to value the house a few months ago. Suspect they want to sell it.

OP posts:
HappyHammy · 13/09/2019 22:39

Are there any.low.income housing association rent.schemes.where you.live.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/09/2019 22:42

Are you registered on your local bidding site for LA houses? If not, get a profile set up (you may need to drop copies of ID etc at a local council office) and start bidding on properties.

You may not get a priority banding, but there will be some choice and you may well get something but you have to be in it to be able to try and win it.

Runbitchrun · 13/09/2019 22:43

Depending on where exactly you are, get yourself down to a children’s centre/family wellbeing centre. I work in one, and we have links with a particular person in the council who would be able to help you. There is a scheme within the housing department set up especially for scenarios like this and it may be the same where you are.

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 22:46

@howdoesitworkwork I concur that OP is spot on! I have 19 years perfect re ting history but as I'm disabled and get PIP - Not a chance. 112 Landlords so far have refused me purely for not working

Evilspiritgin · 13/09/2019 22:48

I think in my area of the Lake District, you only have to live/ rent in the area for 3 years before you can join all the housing lists

user1471449295 · 13/09/2019 22:50

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz It’s not quite as simple as that.

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 22:51

@getmeacupoftea There aren't really any strict laws on landlords handling tenants deposits, a landlord can deduct from the deposit for all sorts of bullshit reasons. It's really pricey these days.

Absolutely false. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has become mandatory in Law for many years now. The Landlord HAS to by Law submit the entire deposit to the TPS and any deductions go through them. With proof. Get your facts straight

Raphael34 · 13/09/2019 22:52

I’m up north, depending on where you are there’s loads of quite decent low rent properties that don’t require bonds at all, or not all at once/upfront. With the deposit, if you weren’t contacted by the deposit scheme with details and a release code for your deposit, then it wasn’t placed in a scheme. You can take the landlord to court and claim back 3 times of the amount of the deposit, plus the original deposit

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/09/2019 22:52

user1471449295

Can you expand on that? I'm not suggesting OP will definitely be allocated a property, just suggesting that whilst also following the good advice given on this thread that she begin the bidding process in the meantime.

Happy to learn more though, if this isn't a viable option.

Noconsent · 13/09/2019 22:56

Really sorry to hear of this stressful situation.
Does the £700/month continue indefinitely?
Thank goodness you had that :(

Raphael34 · 13/09/2019 22:56

Getmeacupoftea that’s bollocks. All deposits have to be in a scheme. No money gets released without the tenants permission. If a tenant disagrees with the landlord claiming any of the money then it goes to a dispute where the landlord has to submit clear and heavy evidence of why they should keep any of the deposit. Tenants used to get ripped off all of the time. As both a landlady and tenant myself, I can confidently say that the new laws are neglecting landlords more than tenants

percheron67 · 13/09/2019 22:58

You mention that you have full PIP - is this still current - I thought PIP had been stopped. So confusing for everyone.

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 23:05

@CatToddlerUprising You have to be a Housing Association or Council Tenant to register with HomefinderUK

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 23:06

@SteelRiver Doesn't work like that. When you're disabled you're restricted to certain types of property which means it actually makes you wait longer for social housing. There's lists for each property requirement it's not one big list

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 23:09

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Not all councils operate a 'bidding' system. Mine certainly don't!!

ProhibitedRodent · 13/09/2019 23:11

@percheron67 Eh?!?! What on earth made you think PIP had been stopped? 🤣 I'm on PIP and am about to be reassessed

Original poster
AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 23:11

Yes, full PIP. I was under the impression that it's DLA that has been stopped/is being changed over to PIP (except for children).

The £700/month will continue for approximately another 2 years. Unless I magically get better & am able to return to work, which is what my employer wants.

I will call the council back on Monday & ask if it's possible to register on the bidding thing prior to any appointment, or if we have to wait to be assessed.

Bond on the house is £750.

Don't particularly want to move towns, if possible. I have memory loss, & struggle with unfamiliar places. I get lost easily because I can't remember which way I went, landmarks, etc. But I'll have to manage.

OP posts:
spongedog · 13/09/2019 23:15

If you can, please go and see Citizens Advice about your UC claim. I am a Trustee for a CA branch and we are all working as hard as we can on UC in multiple ways. I am surprised you dont get tax credits but perhaps that is the impact of PIP. The CA advisors are highly trained in the technical details and really will be able to help. I do hope this works out for you.

Original poster
AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 23:20

I tried to call the CAB this afternoon but they've reduced their hours, now only open 1 day a week. Will email though. Thanks @spongedog.

OP posts:
Original poster
AwdBovril · 13/09/2019 23:24

Can I just say, thanks to everyone on this thread. I wasn't really expecting many responses. Feeling a bit sad this evening & it's nice to know people have been willing to give me a few minutes of their Friday evening. (Gin has been consumed.)

OP posts:
Dodie66 · 13/09/2019 23:27

PIP wouldn’t affect you getting tax credits. In fact y9u would get more if you are on PIP. I did. You need to get advice about what you are entitled to. Go the citizens advice or similar tomget help

Antigonads · 13/09/2019 23:39

If your DH is working 10 hours and only getting £45 surely that is way below the minimum wage.

Can he really not do more hours?