Witholding my rent AIBU

[littledragon99]

I'm a woman in my late 40s, living in a 3-bed Victorian terrace in West London, where I pay £1,200 a month with all bills included. I signed an AST in May.
I work in recruitment and DJ on the side. Despite being skilled in my job, financial difficulties have arisen following my mother’s death, and I've struggled with timely rent payments. I’m currently in therapy to manage my depression.
Recently, my landlady has begun Airbnb-ing the living room, removing the communal space I was paying for. Given this change, I believe the £1,200 rent is no longer justified.
Additionally, she inappropriately contacted my boss, (my boss was my reference) about paying rent directly and has threatened eviction. I’ve consulted Citizens Advice and suspect my deposit wasn’t placed in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), which may breach legal requirements.
Due to these issues, I’ve withheld my rent since August 1st and am prepared to take further action if needed.

aye Anything for a gotcha from a grabby freeloader 👍🏻

how can you not be ashamed smh 🤦🏻‍♀️

Ok. Unwatching. This is making my eyes bleed now sorry.

Plus the 194 from the first payment as the maths was wrong.

Stop trying to find ways to get out of paying your rent and from being evicted.

your deposit is protected, you’re in huge arrears - you’re not going to be there long.

Also I suspect that you were given the details (the tds would have emailed you) but just like you “forget” to pay your rent - you “didn’t notice” the emails.

8, 10 & 11 - your landlady is going to be busy !!!

you can expect her on the doorstep any minute

But she can serve a Section 21 after refunding your deposit. The issue with that for you is that you'll never see a penny of your deposit, because she can retain it to reduce your rent arrears.

The remainder your boss will be liable for if you don't pay it, I assume.

Fucking hell, I have ADHD PTSD insomnia RA asthma and am a cancer survivor, does that mean I get a pass to squat in people's house for free too..?

JFC sort your life out

It has nothing to do with your deposit.

You said you moved in in May - when did you pay the deposit? And what date was it protected?

I moved in March 10, she didn't protect my deposit until 15 May

You’re in your late 40s and you’re still struggling with remembering to pay your rent? It’s past time for you to develop some strategies for that.

I expect your landlord has already decided that you’re an unreliable tenant, so you should probably start looking for a new place to live, preferably one you can comfortably afford.

@Debirahdoyourecall

no, she moved in on 10th March, thus the tenancy ends on 9th Sept

and she owes so much rent she will never see her deposit, and the landlady will take legal action to get the outstanding rent...

So what are you going to do about it TODAY?

You really need to start looking for a new place asap. There is no way your landlord will let you stay.

Is your referee also your guarantor?

THIS

Agreed. This has got to be a wind up.

To be fair she’ll probably just be glad to get her out.

no

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

But when did you actually pay the deposit as you mentioned you signed an AST in May (not March).

Was the landlord in residence before this by any chance?

No she's never been in residence.
I got the dates wrong, my AST was signed 10 March.
She banked my deposit initially then finally stuck it in TDS on 5 May

Same. You're infuriating, OP. Leave the air bnb people alone.

Who is your guarantor then OP?

No guarantor, boss is/was reference