To think my Landlord is looking for reasons to evict us

[NotRightNowPlease]

Been here just over 3 years, currently pay £1300 a month for a poorly maintained bog standard 3 bed terraced (SE), rents locally have reached around £1,600pcm plus for similar (maybe better condition) properties. My rent has never been a minute late.

Had our quarterly tenancy inspection yesterday where he picked holes in everything and told me if I don't repair things straight away we'll "get into arguments".

Examples include (he also took photos of everything he mentioned):

Large roots of weeds at the edge of the drive that I physically cannot remove, he has told me I need to move the bricks at the edge of the drive to do so (I have soaked them in weed killer).

A circular bald patch on the lawn from the paddling pool. You can see where I have recently laid grass seed and top soil and there is already a lot of new growth coming through.

The handle of the front door comes out in your hand when you use it, he is saying these were all replaced when I moved in so I need to buy a new lock which he had previously sent me a link to, I made him aware of this around 6 months ago. The handle has nothing to do with the lock and you can see remnants of hot glue where it has obviously been 'repaired' before.

He complained that there were cobwebs in the tall alcove above the stairs.

I should perhaps point out that an electrical inspection recommended bonding between the gas and electric meters a year ago upon installation of a new fuse board (which looks dodgy in itself) and that my boiler failed within a week of the annual inspection in February. He took the boiler apart over several visits and fixed it himself.

Myself and my children have been homeless before, this is really worrying me.

I assume he is qualified to fix a boiler? Otherwise how do you know it's safe?

Could be something you use against him after all.

It doesn't sound like trying to get rid of you. It seems like he's taking advantage. I guess it depends on your lease but I'd expect him to replace the door handle. He really shouldn't be messing around with your boiler unless he's qualified . You may find according to the lease you are supposed to maintain the garden.

Is he wanting you to tidy up the place so he can put it up for sale? Seems odd he is only pointing these things out now after 3 years..

Yes, don't you need to be a Corgi engineer or some such, to repair a boiler?

He sounds deeply unpleasant. I'd be looking elsewhere, even if it means children sharing or whatever. Everything you've said he complained about - except the paddling pool, which is annoying and you shouldn't have allowed to happen - is completely unreasonable. Sounds like my Uni landlord.

I'd email him pointing out that the damaged handle doesn't affect the integrity of the lock, and traces of gum heavily suggest an unsuitable hot glue gun was used at any rate.

He can serve you an eviction notice without cause - so I don’t see why he’d need to make BS up. It all sounds v intrusive and OTT, sorry you’re experiencing that.

Do u have a local council that has a private landlord section in our area we do and they are really helpful they could maybe be some help with unlawful evictions

If the boiler failed on inspection then a Gas Safe engineer should have been called, Corgi registration doesn’t exist anymore. Ask landlord to provide a new safety report now. The door handle I would have thought would be his responsibility. Whilst you think he may be wanting you out, it’s a lot of hassle, time any money for landlord and property could be empty for a couple of months. Check your tenancy agreement and if you need help contact citizens advice as to your rights.

@PurassicJark he's not a qualified gas safe engineer, no.

@Snowflakes1122 I hadn't thought of the possibility he might be looking to sell, that could be it.

@LetHimHaveIt thanks, I think you're right and I should email him, maybe with my own photos. It's frustrating because 9 times out of 10 when things do go wrong my dad will come and fix it for me. I suppose in a way I've shot myself in the foot by not telling him when things go wrong and dealing with it myself. I agree about the paddling pool, I'd been rotating it but broke my foot for the 2nd time in a year last summer and things got on top of me which I was very open about with him. The back garden is a mess with overgrown weeds etc but I had made progress since he was last here and as I'd obviously begun to visibly correct the bald patch I thought he'd be OK. I appreciate your view.

I just feel completely overwhelmed by everything at the moment, everything's pretty full on and I'd been gradually improving things around the house so was a bit deflated yesterday.

@HotDogKetchup I did try to look online yesterday about the rules around giving notice, thank you as I wasn't sure. Something just feels amiss. If he'd like us to go that's fine but I'd appreciate him just being upfront. As with most areas at the moment rentals are hard to find, as I'm on my own with 4 kids so as much notice as possible would be a big help.

I've read my answer back and the paddling pool bit was unnecessarily snippy. Sorry.

It sounds like you're doing a grand job. I know how tough it is.

He can regain his property without having to find a reason so that doesn't seem overly likely. The weeds and grass are a non issue really. The door handle should be his responsibility not yours but depending on the cost it might just be easier to do it yourself anyway as surely having the handle come off everytime you use the door is not very convenient and maybe a fire hazard (I cant quite picture what you mean so I'm not sure if that's relevant) I know it can be a constant worry when you are renting if having your home pulled out from under you but I dont think your position is any more precarious now than it was before this visit.

@LetHimHaveIt not at all, it is annoying hence why I'd already begun treating the grass. I'm actually now wondering why he didn't mention the weeds in the beds in the back garden.

I spoke to my next door neighbour yesterday and he was saying nobody previously has ever been here more than a year due to various fallings out with the landlord. One 3 years before I moved in apparently punched him on the drive and the police were involved. The other 2 since then moved out because they felt the house was unsafe or there were a lot of disagreements with him.

Reading that back we're probably doing OK!

Has he:

1. Protected your deposit
2. Issued you with annual gas safety certificates?
3. Electrical safety certificates?
4. A copy of the 'How to rent' booklet?

If he hasn't done any of those things then any notice he might give you is completely invalid.

You should report him to the HSE for gas safety failures as that is incredibly dangerous not only for explosions but carbon monoxide poisoning. If he kicks off get the council's private sector enforcement officer from the council involved.

Also, unless you have somewhere to go to, do not move out. Let him take you to court OR pay your deposit and rent for 3 months at your new place. You have to play hardball with unscrupulous landlords like this.

Sounds more like he is a bully. Probably recently out of a relationship and lost his main victim or something.

I would not be contacting him at all op. Do not show any weakness/fear/concern to these sorts. Or challenge them. It's a red flag to a bull.

Just find a new place ASAP. Especially considering the boiler could kill you all in your sleep seen as he faffed about with it.

He sounds like a complete shit.
I would start making sure I was ready to fire as much payback as I could and get him in as much trouble as possible if you do need to go.
Spend time researching every avenue available to your family for somewhere alternative to live.
I really really hope you find somewhere secure and you can name and shame to local media so he can't get another tenant.
This sort of thing makes me rage.
Good luck.

Yes, and I agree - don't make anything easy for him if he does serve an eviction notice.

If previous tenants stayed for a year, I wonder if you've dodged the worst of his behaviour through covid.. he will have kept his mouth shut because you didn't ask for a payment break or miss any payments throughout lockdowns, like many renters might have, and now he's back to his normal arsehole self. I would start looking for other rentals, very difficult atm but keep an eye out in case he escalates.

Look at Shelter's website. Your local council may also have a department that deals with private landlords.
For your own safety I would install a carbon monoxide alarm.

Yes, I agree with OP. Do not challenge him directly. Let the officials do it for you as they have thd power to enforce things and fine him if necessary. If he gets nasty, it is harassment and if you feel unsafe, call the police. I would advise you to have your phone on record before any interaction with him as if the situation deteriorates, you will need it for the council/police. These types can get progressively nastier so be careful.

Definitely report him then. You're in danger living there, I wouldn't have let him tamper with the boiler. He can go break his own shit in his own home, he wouldnt be getting to break anything dangerous where I live.

Make sure you read through your lease. And check it through with Shelter or a CAB.

The accommodation needs to have fire alarms, a fire extinguisher and a gas safety certificate which I think is yearly - with a carbon monoxide alarm.

You could also write down with your father what he and you have had to do which the landlord should have done.

Tidy the garden as much as you can.

You should have had an inspection with pictures before you moved in.