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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Property we were moving into has just delayed by a minimum of 9 weeks.

24 replies

Burntoutboobout · 25/03/2020 15:51

We’re renting, supposed to be moving into a house on the 3rd of May with our current landlord having new tenants moved into our current place on the 5th of May.

New LLs have just delayed our move by a minimum of 9 weeks which may stretch to be more. Our current tenancy cannot be extended. We have no where to go with no family nearby. To further complicate we have a baby and have already paid almost 8k in fees so are completely flat broke. What the hell do we do??

Not aibu I know but seriously panicking at the prospect of being homeless! Have already asked our LL for an extension and he has said no can do. Can’t pay for a hotel (if they are even open)? Obviously cannot go for house viewings (if they are even happening???) because we aren’t leaving our house at all.

Has anybody got any advice??
Like this whole situation wasn’t making me anxious enough 😭

OP posts:
WinterCat · 25/03/2020 15:53

Can you ring Shelter and ask them for advice?

LakieLady · 25/03/2020 15:58

Ring the council.

But be prepared for them to tell you that they won't help you until your LL has gone to court and got a possession order to evict you. Hopefully, your new place will be ready long before that happens.

Don't move out voluntarily, as that will risk you being "intentionally homeless".

If you have a signed tenancy for the new place, with a start date in writing, or anything in writing saying your new tenancy will start on X date, you may have some redress against the new LL/agent.

dontdisturbmenow · 25/03/2020 16:00

Sadly, you'll have to do the same than the family in the house you're supposed to move into is doing and that is stay still until further notice. That will mean that those who were supposed to move into your current house will themselves have to stay still.

Very frustrating for everyone, but what can be done if you have nowhere else to go under the current situation.

You don't have to move, you are still entitled to stay where you are and only a court order can force you out. This would be months before it would happen and most likely a judge would rule in your favour until COVID is over any way if it got to it.

PotsOfPebbles · 25/03/2020 16:00

New LLs have just delayed our move by a minimum of 9 weeks which may stretch to be more.

Have they given a reason for delaying?

have already paid almost 8k in fees

For a rental? 8 thousand? How and why?

Original poster
Burntoutboobout · 25/03/2020 16:23

6 weeks deposit and a months rent plus fees.

The reason it’s been delayed it because current tenant is a nurse and is currently swamped with work (completely understandable).

I will speak to shelter and see if there’s any advice, will also try again with current LL.

OP posts:
Original poster
Burntoutboobout · 25/03/2020 16:25

We could potentially stay with friends but then that’s breaking the rules of the current guidelines surely, also no idea where we would put all of our staff as im guessing all storage places are closed. I think the only solution is stay where we are 😞

OP posts:
GloriousGoosebumps · 25/03/2020 17:07

I don't understand why the nurse's difficulties should mean a minimum of 9 weeks delay but in any event your new landlord has signed a contract with you that he will have breached and he'll be liable for damages.

Original poster
Burntoutboobout · 25/03/2020 17:27

That’s the thing.. we’ve been told the contracts have been signed but haven’t actually received them back. This is why I hate renting, we’ve paid so much money out and been ignored for the past week by the estate agents over everything. Do we have a leg to stand on if they’ve told us that the contracts have been signed? Even without proof?

I think it’s just because she’s working a lot, doesn’t have time to move and also has two children of her own to think of. I’m not sure, I completely understand and respect that this is an awfully stressful time for healthcare staff so am happy to go along with anything that makes their lives easier, Just scared of the possibility of being homeless though! Am still waiting to hear from our landlord, have also asked for the first months rent back so we have some funds to find emergency accommodation but have yet to get a reply!

OP posts:
ButtWormHole · 25/03/2020 17:28

What fees? They can’t charge you fees any more if you’re in the UK

BBCONEANDTWO · 25/03/2020 17:32

This is so bloody awful - so sorry for this horrible position you're in I can't make any suggestions but boy - I feel for you

FAQs · 25/03/2020 17:33

Clutching at straws here, where was she due to go is that a temp option? A deal on a airbnb?

madroid · 25/03/2020 17:36

You cannot be evicted during this pandemic,

www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters

Tell your landlord to go to hell. You ain't going nowhere baby :)

JuanSheetIsPlenty · 25/03/2020 17:37

Just stay in your current rental. Continue paying rent. Tell landlord you can’t move. They’ll have to start eviction proceedings which they cannot legally do during the current pandemic.

WiddlinDiddlin · 25/03/2020 17:38

Stay put.

Do not move until there are bailiffs with a court order, standing on your doorstep.

That won't happen any time soon and likely not before you are in your new property.

It's shit for whoever was going to move into your place, and your landlord, but tough titty.

GloriousGoosebumps · 25/03/2020 18:05

It doesn't matter that the estate agent hasn't forwarded the signed tenancy agreement. He was acting as the landlord's agent and you're entitled to rely on his oral assurance that the contact had been signed. As a consequence you acted to your detriment. He could lie in court proceedings but the court will decide whose evidence they believe.

NotFattyBomBomAnymore · 25/03/2020 18:10

Court evictions are halted until mid June. Your LL can’t get you out. It’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault. We are in an unprecedented global crisis.

Tell your LL you can’t move and will be staying until your new prop is ready. In writing. Quote the ‘peaceful enjoyment’ clause if he starts starts harassing you. Type of arsehole that gives LL’s a bad name.

Original poster
Burntoutboobout · 27/03/2020 13:08

Hoping for some more advice.

So we’re now struggling to get a response from the estate agent on a refund of our money plus we have no idea if the move will be going ahead. Is there any advice anyone has for prompting this along? I’m in bits with anxiety atm and currently going through some neurological health trouble and the stress seems to be making this worse Sad

We’ve arranged to stay stay where we are for an extra month right now but they haven’t told us for certain it the move WILL actually go ahead so we’re very uncertain. Also, we want our money back if not!

OP posts:
Iwalkinmyclothing · 27/03/2020 13:13

Your current landlord cannot evict you right now, whatever they say.

We're in the opposite situation- due to move (also renting) 4th April, letting agents insist it can go ahead, I cannot see how that's true. (They have sent me sarcastic emails about how they cannot see it written anywhere in the government guidance that house moves are not allowed, I have sent sarcastic ones back asking them to tell me which of the categories of permitted time outside it falls into, we are currently at stalemate).

Have you tried contacting Shelter?

Oakmaiden · 27/03/2020 13:17

Well, all house moves are being heavily discouraged at the moment, and most removals firms will refuse to do them.Of course, there is no way of knowing how long that will be the case...

thesearchh · 27/03/2020 13:23

I'm moving into another rental tomorrow and it's still going ahead I already had a section 21 given before lockdown so it's not a "new one" current landlord is not letting me stay here any longer due to "being afraid he's going to lose his buyer" as all solicitors etc can work from home.
I'm so stressed out as going to have to move everything myself, I've managed to hire a van but with a small child I can't get anyone to look after them due to not being allowed to see other people.
I'm baffled how houses moves are still permitted but I feel like my hands are tied!
Sorry to hear your going through it as well!

Original poster
Burntoutboobout · 27/03/2020 13:36

@thesearchh ahhh that sounds awful! So sorry you’re going through it. I really hope it goes ok!

Thanks for the info. It’s just not knowing if we will move in 9 weeks or not, not being able to get a definitive answer is awful. I have a feeling they’re going to turn around and say oh actually we’re not going to move at all. It’s fine if they’ve changed their minds but we really need that money back! It’s literally all our savings.

OP posts:
KaptenKrusty · 27/03/2020 14:17

what fee's did you pay? they are now abolished - so you should only have paid deposit and months rent in advance!?

mencken · 27/03/2020 14:45

No need to ring Shelter, all info clearly available on line. All current eviction proceedings are stalled as well as new ones being prohibited. Nobody is being evicted, forced to move etc etc. Even if times were normal the only people who can force a move is the bailiff. 'tenancy cannot be extended' is nonsense in England.

OP either not in England or being seriously ripped off as fees have been banned, so difficult to advise fully - but everyone just needs to stay right where they are.

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