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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what on earth is going on

26 replies

Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 22:27

Of course I will be also asking to my landlord about this but I’m really quite shocked and confused as I’ve heard absolutely nothing from him about this.

This evening I received an email ‘Hello. My name is * and I am potentially going to be buying the house from your Landlord. Please could you let me know a good time to come and view?’

He knows my Landlords name but surely he would have been in contact with me about this first as it’s the first I’ve heard about it and now I’m thinking I’m going to be losing my home

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 18/02/2023 22:31

You need to contact your landlord ASAP.
It will be one of 2 things -
1 the house is being sold (and your landlord is a bit of an arse for not telling you)
2 it's some sort of dodgy scam.
Do not reply to the email and do not let anyone in until you have spoken to your landlord.

PeeblesQueebles · 18/02/2023 22:31

That’s odd, and not ok. You don’t have to give permission to view and the LL shouldn’t be asking for it unless has served you 2m notice.

bear in mind LL can sell to another LL with tenant in situ, so you might not loose your home and you might want to be nice about things just in case!

NewBootsAndRanty · 18/02/2023 22:32

If he's selling it as a tenanted property you may not get asked to leave at all.

Otherwise he'll legally have to give you a section 21 notice (2 months min in England), and you're entitled to stay until that is enforced if you have no other housing options.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/section_21_eviction

NewBootsAndRanty · 18/02/2023 22:33

And yes, absolutely speak to your landlord before confirming any appointment!

Outandover · 18/02/2023 22:33

Don’t reply and speak to your landlord immediately. He/She should not have passed on your name and email to a stranger without your permission first.

Check your rights for access to view but I don’t think you have to allow it.

Applesandcarrots · 18/02/2023 22:35

Aa above posters, don't answer, speak with landlord. I would be very unhappy about my email being given as well as not being told!

Did you check primelocation if it's listed?

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 22:36

OK so firstly - calm down.

It could be a scam - its £3 to find out who owns any one home.

And you absolutely DO NOT have to let anyone in your home for a viewing or otherwise.

And you should only leave once served with a section 21 notice by your LL. that gives you 2 months to look for another property (if it’s been served correctly otherwise you can get more time).

Are you in a fixed term contract? Message your LL and ask about this email.

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 22:37

Thank you everyone. I’m also thinking that means my email is being handed out without telling me. I’ll definitely speak to my landlord about it and find out what’s going on

OP posts:
CoQ10 · 18/02/2023 22:38

It's a scam!!

If he or she was buying, there would be an estate agent involved. Or the landlord would be showing people round.

Ring the landlord or agent and inform them. Also, let the council know as they will be scamming others, no doubt.

Goldandpurplezebra · 18/02/2023 22:38

Seems scamy to me

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 22:43

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl thank you it does seem dodgy. He left me his mobile number and full name at the bottom of the email. But he knew my name, email, full property address and the name of my landlord.

im on a rolling contract

OP posts:
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 22:43

CoQ10 · 18/02/2023 22:38

It's a scam!!

If he or she was buying, there would be an estate agent involved. Or the landlord would be showing people round.

Ring the landlord or agent and inform them. Also, let the council know as they will be scamming others, no doubt.

Not all house sales involve an EA.

What do you think the council are Gina do about an email scam Confused

OP - did they include your address in the email?

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 22:44

Oh I see from your latest post he did kkw the address.

Ofd.

Definitely get in touch with your LL. and say no to any viewings

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 22:52

I have just typed his number in on google and the same name and number is advertising a property to rent on Reddit. Local to the area where I live.

OP posts:
CoQ10 · 18/02/2023 22:54

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 22:43

Not all house sales involve an EA.

What do you think the council are Gina do about an email scam Confused

OP - did they include your address in the email?

Show quote history

I realise that, which is why I said the landlord would be doing viewings. They wouldn't just send randoms round.

If it is a scam then its likely being done to multiple others. So notifying the council might be sensible?? No??

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 22:56

CoQ10 · 18/02/2023 22:54

I realise that, which is why I said the landlord would be doing viewings. They wouldn't just send randoms round.

If it is a scam then its likely being done to multiple others. So notifying the council might be sensible?? No??

Show quote history

What council department and what would you expect them to do?

AlmostSummer21 · 18/02/2023 23:01

It sounds like it could be legit.

Is your LL usually an arse?

You don't have to let anyone view it, not even with 24hr notice.

However, if he's your potential new LL I wouldn't be too arsey about it, but I would have someone there with me, you just never know.

Hopefully you can stay in your place.

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 23:03

Thanks. I’m just worrying quite a bit now because my rent is fairly low compared to what the prices are at the moment for a similar house in the area. I’m worried about being evicted or the rent being increased which I won’t be able to afford

OP posts:
whynotwhatknot · 18/02/2023 23:05

if it is legit your ll is out of order passing on your details to random people

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 23:06

whynotwhatknot · 18/02/2023 23:05

if it is legit your ll is out of order passing on your details to random people

This is true, I’m a LL and data protection laws very much apply to us WRT our tenants

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 18/02/2023 23:09

I’ve also realised today the gas cert is almost 5 months out of date. I’ve heard nothing from my landlord for a couple of months now

OP posts:
NewBootsAndRanty · 18/02/2023 23:12

In that case definitely get onto him!

Buxustrees · 19/02/2023 11:36

Hi Op,

This must be very concerning for you. Does a letting agent manage the property for the landlord or do you rent / deal with the landlord directly? The landlord / LA passing on your details without your permission is a breach of GDPR.

Have you checked Zoopla / Rightmove to see if your landlord has advertised the property for sale? As previous posters have mentioned, you have no obligation to engage with this random person who has contacted you and you certainly do not have to let them in or show them around. I would not make contact with them at all and speak with your landlord mentioning why have your details been passed on without your permission.

If you are worried about being evicted, at present and without a current gas check cert, a section 21 would be invalid. Whilst not ideal for a boiler / gas appliance not to be checked by a Gas Safe engineer (most owner occupiers don’t ever get their boilers checked and certainly not every year) I would keep quiet about the expired gas cert as this would buy you lots of time to find a new place to live if your landlord did issue you with a section 21. Also did your landlord protect your deposit in a government scheme? Let us know how you get on Op xxx

Original poster
Cherrypiess · 19/02/2023 11:42

@Buxustrees Hi. Thank you for your reply. I’ve had some more information this morning and it turns out that it’s the Landlords son who might be buying the house off him and he’s asking me to arrange directly with him a mutually convenient time for him to come and see the house. But I’ve still not been told what that means for me. It turns out he also passed on my mobile number to him without asking me as well.

That’s useful information about the gas certificate I wasn’t aware of that. My deposit is protected with DPS

OP posts:
DoesItMakeYouFeelBetter · 19/02/2023 12:02

I have been a similar situation, and Shelter gave the best advice. Please contact them.