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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Evicted for the 2nd time in less than a year!

254 replies

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 13:28

AIBU to think this is just untenable?

Lsst landlord wanted to sell but did it really sneakily insisting we allowed viewings 4 months into a one year contract. We didn’t of course so were served with a Section 21 after 6 months.

We had to take current property last August (£500 month more than last place as nowhere else available). Now been served another Section 21 as landlord is not happy that we refused to pay for a professional gardener (his mate) which wasn’t in contract, or allow him to take the toilet seat that’s been in the property. This is revenge because he was unhappy about having to fix the shower and faulty dishwasher!

We are a large family and have loads of stuff. I can’t believe we’re having to pack up and move again!

AIBU to think that LL’s shouldn’t have the power to kick people out of their homes at whim and notice should be 6 months not two months?

OP posts:
LightSwerve · 17/02/2024 13:30

Yanbu. The English system is awful.

Good luck finding a new place.

DistingusedSocialCommentator · 17/02/2024 13:33

Unreasonable - on the whole

We are LL's - 6 months is too long but 2/3 moths most would accept as long as the T's left, but sadly many don't.

I feel for you and next time, your new rental, don't have a 6 month opt out clause if LL acceps and some will if you have a proven track record of keeping the property nice, paying your rents on time and not being trouble to those around you

I do feel for you - good luck

justasking111 · 17/02/2024 13:36

Six months in Wales. But I'd have taken the Gardner because tenants aren't interested in doing it in the main so you've cut off your nose there

Spirallingdownwards · 17/02/2024 13:41

S21 notices will soon be going so you will have more of a secure tenure going forward although a Landlord can still give notice for you to leave if they intend to sell.

Why wouldn't you let him have the toilet seat if it was his or do you mean it was on the actual loo? Was he wanting you to pay for the gardene recluse you weren't maintaining the garden properly?

Hereyoume · 17/02/2024 13:43

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 13:28

AIBU to think this is just untenable?

Lsst landlord wanted to sell but did it really sneakily insisting we allowed viewings 4 months into a one year contract. We didn’t of course so were served with a Section 21 after 6 months.

We had to take current property last August (£500 month more than last place as nowhere else available). Now been served another Section 21 as landlord is not happy that we refused to pay for a professional gardener (his mate) which wasn’t in contract, or allow him to take the toilet seat that’s been in the property. This is revenge because he was unhappy about having to fix the shower and faulty dishwasher!

We are a large family and have loads of stuff. I can’t believe we’re having to pack up and move again!

AIBU to think that LL’s shouldn’t have the power to kick people out of their homes at whim and notice should be 6 months not two months?

It's not a housing association.

You're renting a house. The owner can take it back if they want to.

LovedmyRaleighChopper · 17/02/2024 13:48

Sounds like you haven’t helped yourself with the toilet seat issue. Must be an absolute pain packing up again but renters should expect a peripatetic life, it’s only a lucky few that get to settle for years these days.

Naptrappedmummy · 17/02/2024 13:56

Hereyoume · 17/02/2024 13:43

It's not a housing association.

You're renting a house. The owner can take it back if they want to.

Show quote history

Why share the OP? We all read it Confused

YANBU, S21 is bloody awful and needs scrapping ASAP. Good luck finding another property, it’s tough out there.

justasking111 · 17/02/2024 13:57

Our lease was very specific about the garden which was lovely. Had been his mother's house. So lawn cutting, trimming bushes, shrubs, edging lawns was expected. We did it.

Justasking49 · 17/02/2024 14:04

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 13:28

AIBU to think this is just untenable?

Lsst landlord wanted to sell but did it really sneakily insisting we allowed viewings 4 months into a one year contract. We didn’t of course so were served with a Section 21 after 6 months.

We had to take current property last August (£500 month more than last place as nowhere else available). Now been served another Section 21 as landlord is not happy that we refused to pay for a professional gardener (his mate) which wasn’t in contract, or allow him to take the toilet seat that’s been in the property. This is revenge because he was unhappy about having to fix the shower and faulty dishwasher!

We are a large family and have loads of stuff. I can’t believe we’re having to pack up and move again!

AIBU to think that LL’s shouldn’t have the power to kick people out of their homes at whim and notice should be 6 months not two months?

Op to you have any evidence that's it's a revenge eviction? Or is it just how you feel? If you do have proof you may be able to stop it.

Are you going through actual eviction route or are you able to find another place to rent.

Original poster
EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:05

justasking111 · 17/02/2024 13:36

Six months in Wales. But I'd have taken the Gardner because tenants aren't interested in doing it in the main so you've cut off your nose there

Garden has a 10ft high leylandi fence surrounding it. We had trimmed it in the autumn (we have a hedge trimmer) but landlord was sent pictures from his mate across the road who then said we had to get a professional (his mate) to do it and NOT do it ourselves. We said if he didn’t want us to do it, he should get his mate to do it and pay for it himself.

Toilet seat is one of those intelligent heat up bidet ones. Was fitted long before tenancy (quite few years old), was shown at viewing, is listed in inventory. When plumber came back to fit part for leaking shower, he said he had been told to disconnect it and take it with him. Letting agent said landlord wanted it taken as he couldn’t afford to fix it if it was broken. It wasn’t broken. We said it’s part of the tenancy and plumber’s not taking it. Knew it was because LL was pissed off about repairs and hedge.

Who exactly was the unreasonable one here?

Tenants should be protected from this shit, no?

OP posts:
NotQuiteNorma · 17/02/2024 14:06

I think perhaps try not to look for avoidable conflicts with landlords. Was the gardener thing really a hill worth dying on if it ended up getting your whole family thrown out? Choose your battles. A lot of tenants just don't have the time or inclination to keep gardens to the standards a landlord would prefer. All too often they get neglected through the duration of the tenancy then the landlord has to pay a fortune to get it made presentable before they can rent again, losing rental income in the process.

Honestly, that one probably wasn't worth it's end result. You could probably have negotiated an installment deal on that and kept them happy and a roof over your families heads. Likewise refusing to give the landlord access to collect a toilet seat. On the surface that just looks needlessly awkward and petty. If you think it was some sort of revenge then why indulge them when you already knew how easy it is for a landlord to see you as a problem and serve notice?

Good luck finding a new landlord but try and avoid giving them reasons to write you off as a potential problem tenant by being unnecessarily awkward unless you are prepared for the potential outcomes. You seem to be working against landlords over avoidable conflicts over things that really shouldn't be resulting in a section 21. Perhaps look at the way you are dealing with these issues because you seem to be playing into their hands. I don't even know anyone who has been evicted twice in less than a year over issues like these. Most people wouldn't risk their tenancy over a matter of principle with a toilet seat.

justasking111 · 17/02/2024 14:10

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:05

Garden has a 10ft high leylandi fence surrounding it. We had trimmed it in the autumn (we have a hedge trimmer) but landlord was sent pictures from his mate across the road who then said we had to get a professional (his mate) to do it and NOT do it ourselves. We said if he didn’t want us to do it, he should get his mate to do it and pay for it himself.

Toilet seat is one of those intelligent heat up bidet ones. Was fitted long before tenancy (quite few years old), was shown at viewing, is listed in inventory. When plumber came back to fit part for leaking shower, he said he had been told to disconnect it and take it with him. Letting agent said landlord wanted it taken as he couldn’t afford to fix it if it was broken. It wasn’t broken. We said it’s part of the tenancy and plumber’s not taking it. Knew it was because LL was pissed off about repairs and hedge.

Who exactly was the unreasonable one here?

Tenants should be protected from this shit, no?

Show quote history

Landlord sees you as a belligerent family so is evicting you. This will cost him money re a void of at least a month. You'll have trouble getting a reference too. As someone said this wasn't the hill to die on.

Original poster
EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:10

Just to reiterate, garden is absolutely fine. It was the hedge. Professional tools were needed and tall ladder. Landlord did not supply these. DH used our hedge trimmer and small step ladder. Hedge looked fine albeit a few sprigs coming up on top.

It’s was also January, who insists a hedge needs to be trimmed in January?

OP posts:
Justasking49 · 17/02/2024 14:13

NotQuiteNorma · 17/02/2024 14:06

I think perhaps try not to look for avoidable conflicts with landlords. Was the gardener thing really a hill worth dying on if it ended up getting your whole family thrown out? Choose your battles. A lot of tenants just don't have the time or inclination to keep gardens to the standards a landlord would prefer. All too often they get neglected through the duration of the tenancy then the landlord has to pay a fortune to get it made presentable before they can rent again, losing rental income in the process.

Honestly, that one probably wasn't worth it's end result. You could probably have negotiated an installment deal on that and kept them happy and a roof over your families heads. Likewise refusing to give the landlord access to collect a toilet seat. On the surface that just looks needlessly awkward and petty. If you think it was some sort of revenge then why indulge them when you already knew how easy it is for a landlord to see you as a problem and serve notice?

Good luck finding a new landlord but try and avoid giving them reasons to write you off as a potential problem tenant by being unnecessarily awkward unless you are prepared for the potential outcomes. You seem to be working against landlords over avoidable conflicts over things that really shouldn't be resulting in a section 21. Perhaps look at the way you are dealing with these issues because you seem to be playing into their hands. I don't even know anyone who has been evicted twice in less than a year over issues like these. Most people wouldn't risk their tenancy over a matter of principle with a toilet seat.

Op said there was not anything in the contract saying they had to have a professional gardener. When the subject came up, it turns out its the landlords mate . Maybe the tenant can't afford a professional gardener.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 17/02/2024 14:14

That's just ridiculous, that said I probably wouldn't of argued over a toilet seat. Grin

I think landlords know the s21 removal is coming into play very soon so getting rid while they still can for stupid reasons.
That said third time lucky hopefully you land a decent landlord next time.

BlindurErBóklausMaður · 17/02/2024 14:14

NotQuiteNorma · 17/02/2024 14:06

I think perhaps try not to look for avoidable conflicts with landlords. Was the gardener thing really a hill worth dying on if it ended up getting your whole family thrown out? Choose your battles. A lot of tenants just don't have the time or inclination to keep gardens to the standards a landlord would prefer. All too often they get neglected through the duration of the tenancy then the landlord has to pay a fortune to get it made presentable before they can rent again, losing rental income in the process.

Honestly, that one probably wasn't worth it's end result. You could probably have negotiated an installment deal on that and kept them happy and a roof over your families heads. Likewise refusing to give the landlord access to collect a toilet seat. On the surface that just looks needlessly awkward and petty. If you think it was some sort of revenge then why indulge them when you already knew how easy it is for a landlord to see you as a problem and serve notice?

Good luck finding a new landlord but try and avoid giving them reasons to write you off as a potential problem tenant by being unnecessarily awkward unless you are prepared for the potential outcomes. You seem to be working against landlords over avoidable conflicts over things that really shouldn't be resulting in a section 21. Perhaps look at the way you are dealing with these issues because you seem to be playing into their hands. I don't even know anyone who has been evicted twice in less than a year over issues like these. Most people wouldn't risk their tenancy over a matter of principle with a toilet seat.

I'd agree with this.

Some landlords are awful. Truly. So are some tenants.

The problem is that having been evicted twice in a year isn't going to make getting a new place easy. Any landlord would raise an eyebrow and ask themselves how come.

(I'm a tenant)

RiceRiceMaybe · 17/02/2024 14:15

I remember your last thread. I knew when you refused to let him take the toilet seat that eviction would be on the cards. Why not just let him take it? Was it worth being evicted for? I’m not saying he’s not wrong but it must be so stressful living like that. I’d have disconnected it myself in order to keep the roof over my head.

Original poster
EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:17

Wow, so people are really saying that I should have rolled over and given into LL’s unreasonable demands? Paying £200 to LL’s mate twice a year to cut his hedge despite having no legal obligation to and already paying a very high rent?

Serfdom is still alive and kicking in UK in 2024.

Disgusting.

OP posts:
Ilovemyshed · 17/02/2024 14:18

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:10

Just to reiterate, garden is absolutely fine. It was the hedge. Professional tools were needed and tall ladder. Landlord did not supply these. DH used our hedge trimmer and small step ladder. Hedge looked fine albeit a few sprigs coming up on top.

It’s was also January, who insists a hedge needs to be trimmed in January?

Someone who doesn't want it trimmed between March-September due to bird activity.

Sorry OP but reading this, if you were my tenants, I would serve notice, you sound a pain.

What you need to always remember is that whilst it is your temporary home, it is NOT and never will be your property. LL has a right to protect that.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 17/02/2024 14:18

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:17

Wow, so people are really saying that I should have rolled over and given into LL’s unreasonable demands? Paying £200 to LL’s mate twice a year to cut his hedge despite having no legal obligation to and already paying a very high rent?

Serfdom is still alive and kicking in UK in 2024.

Disgusting.

I think it's more the way you deal with things like the toilet seat thing that's really a non issue could of given it to him and just asked it to be crossed off the inventory.
Was a toilet seat really worth loosing your home over? It wasn't.

Original poster
EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:19

How awful for your tenants that you’re a LL then @Ilovemyshed.

OP posts:
HelloMiss · 17/02/2024 14:19

Disgusting? Well maybe op

However, you will soon be homeless

Ilovemyshed · 17/02/2024 14:20

EvictedAgain · 17/02/2024 14:17

Wow, so people are really saying that I should have rolled over and given into LL’s unreasonable demands? Paying £200 to LL’s mate twice a year to cut his hedge despite having no legal obligation to and already paying a very high rent?

Serfdom is still alive and kicking in UK in 2024.

Disgusting.

There is a big difference in cutting a hedge yourself with a hedge trimmer and having it done properly at the right time of year. However the LL should have paid for this.

Theunamedcat · 17/02/2024 14:20

I would have asked for proof that the plumber took the toilet seat at the landlords behest so I didn't end up losing deposit money over a toilet seat

The hedge is just nuts four hundred pounds a year? I would have got quotes from others to see how reasonable that cost was

RedTitsMcGinty · 17/02/2024 14:20

OP, there are a lot of posters on this site who think that landlords are graciously doing people a favour by letting them live in their property, when in fact tenants are paying a significant chunk of their earnings to do so. I can’t think of any other service people pay for where you’d be expected to placate the provider. You absolutely do not have to pay for work to be done to the garden and it is illegal under the Tenant Fees Act of 2019 for your landlord to insist on this. This obsession on Mumsnet about having to mollify unreasonable landlords is bizarre, and presumably comes from people who either don’t rent or who are landlords themselves.