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

[EvictedAgain]

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?

The thing is now when you're evicted your housing history will show you've only stayed in these last 2 properties for 6 months each. It'll show on your vetting on the council tax records. OP, can you not see it will make a future LL think you might not be a good bet as a long term tenant? I'm a LL and I'd avoid any tenant who moved twice in a year. I want tenants who are stable and want to stay many years. Most of my tenants have been renting from me for between 2 and 8 years. Changing tenants is expensive for LL's too, having to freshly paint the house in between tenants, new carpet or at least a professional carpet clean in between tenants, also a professional oven clean and house clean. This is after a tenant has left it cleaned because most don't leave a house to a standard I want to rent out. Sometimes a garden needs a tidy up or a back yard needs a pressure wash too. Far better/easier/less expensive to find a tenant who wants to rent long term. EA fees for vetting a new tenant are high too. I very much doubt it'll be void for long. I asked EA to advertise on a Thursday, a dozen viewings on Saturday and 6 offers to rent by Monday. Gas, electricity and EPC certificates are still valid so after vetting tenants will likely move in 2 weeks after the date I asked EA to advertise.

You are SO NOT being unreasonable.
Some landlords are appalling.

Some tenants are appalling too

But surely most tenants wouldn't have the deposit to buy? If they did many would have already bought a house of their own already.

You landlords owning multiple properties really can never see how you are part of the problem can you ? How many are you up to now, must be around 12??

Landlords are greedy scum.

I've never had to do a section 21 eviction but I'm picky over my tenants. I pick those with not just bland but warm references. I've never asked a tenant to leave either. I prefer tenants who just want to quietly get on with their lives, don't cause structural damage to property, pay rent on time, and are pleasant and allow the gas people in each year for boiler service and new certificates. I handle any issues myself as I have a maintenance man who will do minor repairs quickly for me. If a tenant text me a photo of something broken I just get my maintenance person to repair/replace usually within 24 hours. I do know some EA take forever to get minor repairs done. The LL in this instance should have removed this heated toilet seat before letting out the house. Once an item is in the inventory that should be it. I let out houses with integrated appliances and just accept occasionally they will need a repair or replacement. If a LL just replaces they can write it off against tax so I never quite understand why some make such an issue about it. Tax people expect some repair/replacements.

In the UK.a tenant only has to give 1 month notice unless signed up for a 1 year or 6 month tenancy.

This is all very combative from the OP & Landlord's really do get a hard time.
But I would also say the UK system doesn't work well
The term 'no fault' eviction is misleading - there are usually reasons but the section 8 (fault process) doesn't work so Landlord's use this instead as this process has set time frames.
To take rent arrears as an example 2 months arrears are required if the tenant takes it £1 below that on the day they appear in court the landlord has to start again & the rent could be due the next day & the tenant chooses not to pay it.
A full Section 21/order for possession/warrant for possession/Bailiffs takes a minimum of 6 months & can take longer a section 9 takes years & years
Yes I am a Landlord - I am now evicting for only the second time & I am using a Section 21 however the tenant is 3 months in arrears, has even told me they have caused £10k worth of damage to my property (how they know this when they have never owned or maintained a property is interesting) including removing cupboards, drilling through window frames, fire damage to carpets - I can't get workmen to work in the property as it is filthy - the list goes on & so do the costs.
They have already told me they won't go until the bailiffs arrive & are not paying in full so the arrears amount will increase before I actually get them out
The UK process is rubbish from both sides both landlords & tenants should be held accountable

I'm with you OP but mumsnet is chocker with landlords and I'm alright Jack types.

The law needs changing, definitely speak to Shelter about your options. Xx

I say this as someone who is a homeowner but who rented for 10 years in my 20s from some right shocking twats who did some very illegal things (including entering my property for God know what reason when I was at work regularly) but that I put up with for the sake of deposit/references. My experiences as a tenent do make me sympathise with the guillotine memers lol.

I don't think either of the posters you are quoting are landlords.

Just because someone thinks a tenant is being an arse, doesn't mean they're a landlord. I'm not, and I do.

Sorry meant section 8 not section 9 - mistyped & phone won't let me edit

Still 11.

I’m on your side OP. It’s tiring that there are so many landlords that have multiple properties and simply see it as a business without taking into account that some of their “customers” need long term stability. It is very hard to find these days because the private rental market is so messed up.

As a tenant with a family I’ve had to leave three times in 7 years as each of my contracts have had a 2 year clause. Although on all occasions I was told the LL was looking for long term tenants they changed their minds each time - mainly because they decided to sell.

I get it - it’s their property etc - but why not just air bnb or advertise short term let’s as opposed to families. There needs to be more protection for families from the government. It costs so much to uproot and organise a move. This issue is just getting much worse.

Hope you find somewhere long term soon x

Also I asked to have my toilet seat changed. It was miscoloured and stained. LL didn’t want to change mine so I bought one. I’m sorry but as someone planning to live somewhere long term there are minor hygiene factors that don’t cost much.

Go on Tenants voice UK Facebook group. You will get good advice.

Actually MN usually hates LL's. I'm somewhat surprised to see all the responses on here.
I'm just a bit confused by the OP's timelines.

@Orangeandgold Private rental was never meant to replace council house 30+ years it was for everyone. Nowadays in most areas only for those in the most dire circs and whole families in BnB's. Government opened up market for BTL market and happily pushed blame onto LL's absolving themselves of responsibility.

They are now trying to push small private LL's out and have their corporate mates buy up all the properties instead. I lived in flats owned by shell companies in ME countries and that was much worse, they knew enough of the rules to get away with things that were legal but morally wrong.

Housing is too important to be left in private hands. But with a lot happily sold off via Right to Buy and not much new building what is left to do?

The poster I quoted just confirmed they own and rent out 11 properties.

We have a mastermind on MN.😯

Some tenants are obstructive, awkward, needlessly picky and then get surprised when the landlord writes them off as trouble and fucks them off..

Exactly this.

@keirakilaney67

" They are now trying to push small private LL's out and have their corporate mates buy up all the properties instead. I lived in flats owned by shell companies in ME countries and that was much worse, they knew enough of the rules to get away with things that were legal but morally wrong."

I saw a report last year that because of rent smart Wales bringing in the new rules, small landlords were selling up. There was a landlords conference in Cardiff. The international presence from Germany and Holland who have scooped up many properties and were in the market for more was a surprise. I'll try and find it. There are some ME landlords but not a high percentage.

I think your first mistake was refusing viewings on the original house.
What did you expect? The LL to.just go "never mind"? You could have allowed viewings amd ended up with a new landlord in same house, or had 6 months to a year to find somewhere. Instead you ended up rushed.

Have you considered that your current LL (who lives abroad and doesn't know you) is getting a really bad impression of you? They could even be reading your posts on MN and thinking you sound like a nightmare.

No tenant has to allow viewings, even if it's in the contract, the contract cannot override law.

OP I have sympathy but you're not coming across very well.